Essay 113 – Children to learn the difference between right and wrong

Last Updated: 25th March 2023

GT Writing Task 2 / Essay Sample # 113

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

It is important for children to learn the difference between right and wrong at an early age. Punishment is necessary to help them learn this distinction.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
What sort of punishment should parents and teachers be allowed to use to teach good behaviour to children?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

Model Answer:

To be able to discern the difference between right and wrong is of great importance and the earlier children learn it, the better it is. I believe reward and punishment go hand in hand when it comes down to helping young minds distinguish correct from incorrect. But the punishment to teach them should be mild and age-specific.

To start with, inculcating ethics is comparatively easy when individuals are young and if they are taught at the right time, they grow up to be sensible adults. In the formative years, youngsters are more receptive than in the adult period. So it is far easier to shape them into the epitome of ideal behaviour. Myriad studies have already revealed that children who are taught a code of ethics from their early years have endearing behaviour as compared to those who have already deeply ingrained unacceptable behaviour. As with grown-up individuals, senses become extremely complex to learn anew.

However, many parents and teachers believe that punishment is an essential tool to teach children right from wrong. They go on to argue that the fear of penalty will dissuade children from wrongdoings. For instance, when a child is punished or rebuked for hitting another child, he or she is likely to behave to avoid the embarrassing situation he had faced the last time for his action. But while punishing a child for some repeated wrong behaviour, in my opinion, parents and teachers have to avoid physical punishment. Children are unable to make a relation between their behaviour and physical sanction. They only feel the pain of retribution. In fact, parents or teachers should not hit, slap, or spank children of any age. Parents or teachers can use some light punishments without hurting children physically. For example, children can be shouldered the burden of household chores as a punishment. While punishing a child’s age has to be considered.

In Conclusion, children should be taught what is right and wrong from the early years. Although punishment teaches children right from wrong, I believe that physical punishment should be avoided by all means.