It is argued that the parents of children who break the rules should be punished in some ways as parents are responsible for the children's actions.

Practice this IELTS Writing Task 2 question on IELTSX. It is argued that the parents of children who break the rules should be punished in some ways as parents are responsible for the children's actions.

Parents Responsible Children Break Rules Should Punished - IELTS Writing Task 2

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Write at least 250 words.

A student's answer to this task, and the feedback on it

Written by an IELTSX user under exam conditions and published unedited and anonymously. Band 9 · 363 words.

It is sometimes argued that parents should be held accountable when their children break rules, on the grounds that they are ultimately responsible for their upbringing. While I accept that parental influence plays a significant role in shaping a child’s behavior, I largely disagree with the idea that parents should be punished for their children’s misconduct.

On the one hand, it is undeniable that parents are the primary agents of socialization during a child’s formative years. Through discipline, guidance, and role modeling, they instill values such as respect for authority and adherence to social norms. If parents are negligent or fail to set clear boundaries, children may be more likely to engage in disruptive or even unlawful behavior. For instance, a lack of supervision or inconsistent discipline can foster a sense of impunity in young people, increasing the likelihood of rule-breaking. In such cases, holding parents partially accountable—perhaps through mandatory parenting courses or fines—could encourage more responsible child-rearing practices.

However, attributing full responsibility to parents is both impractical and unjust. As children grow older, they are increasingly influenced by external factors such as peers, media, and the broader social environment. Even in households where strong moral values are emphasized, adolescents may still make poor decisions due to peer pressure or a desire for independence. Punishing parents in these situations overlooks the complexity of human behavior and the limits of parental control. Moreover, such measures risk creating resentment and could disproportionately affect families already facing social or economic challenges, thereby exacerbating inequality.

In addition, from a legal and ethical standpoint, responsibility should primarily lie with the individual who commits the offense. Modern justice systems are founded on the principle of personal accountability, and extending punishment to parents undermines this principle. A more balanced approach would involve addressing the root causes of juvenile delinquency through education, community programs, and targeted interventions, rather than assigning blame to parents by default.

In conclusion, although parents undeniably influence their children’s behavior and should bear some degree of moral responsibility, it is neither fair nor effective to punish them for their children’s rule-breaking. A nuanced approach that recognizes shared responsibility between individuals, families, and society is far more appropriate.

Examiner feedback

This is an exceptional essay that meets all the criteria for Band 9. It provides a sophisticated, well-structured argument with natural and precise language. The writer demonstrates a high level of critical thinking by acknowledging the role of parents while effectively arguing against the practicality and ethics of legally punishing them.

Task Response - 9

- The essay fully addresses all parts of the task by exploring the reasons for parental responsibility while presenting a clear, nuanced position against formal punishment. - Ideas are fully developed with sophisticated supporting arguments, such as the influence of external factors like peers and media. - The response demonstrates a mature understanding of the complexities regarding legal and moral accountability.

Coherence & Cohesion - 9

- The paragraphing is skillful, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct, logically sequenced central topic. - Cohesive devices (e.g., 'On the one hand', 'Moreover', 'In addition') are used so naturally that they attract no attention. - There is a very clear progression from the introduction to the conclusion, with seamless transitions between ideas.

Lexical Resource - 9

- The vocabulary is wide-ranging, natural, and sophisticated (e.g., 'agents of socialization', 'sense of impunity', 'juvenile delinquency'). - Collocations are used with high precision, and there are no errors in spelling or word formation. - The writer uses less common lexical items with the ease of a native speaker.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy - 9

- A wide range of complex structures is used with full flexibility and accuracy. - The majority of sentences are error-free; any minor slips are typical of a native speaker and do not affect clarity. - Punctuation is used accurately to support the flow of complex arguments.

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