The children of today have a greater freedom of choice than ever before. This has led to a discussion regarding the benefits of this phenomenon wherein, some voices advocate the importance of decision making from a young age, especially on matters pertaining to their lives. However, an opposing belief is that it will lead to these children growing up to be individualistic and self centred adults. This essay will discuss both view points and conclude with an opinion.
There are two essential benefits in allowing children the freedom of choice in making personal decisions. Firstly, they gain vital life experience from the consequences of the choices they make. This is an invaluable life lesson that cannot be taught by other means. Secondly, the ability to make decisions also accelerates their financial management skills. For instance, in a comparitive study conducted by the University of Oslo, it was observed that children who were given a greater freedom to make decisions from an early age managed to handle their virtual assets in a simulation better than the control group. This result emphasises on the value of letting children choose for themselves.
On the other hand, the view that letting children make their own choices will eventually result in self centred adults is somewhat pedantic. Allowing children this freedom is unlikely to result in narcissistic tendencies as there are fewer subconscious regrets in their minds regarding potentially missed opportunities. As an example, 3 out of 5 adults regret having grown up in a stifling environment and reported to have suffered from episodes of envy and retaliatory behaviour. This control centric approach is thus, seemingly counterproductive.
To conclude, our society has always comprised of a varied spectrum of people having had different experiences pertaining to decision making in their formative years. Scientific literature points towards the benefits of inculcating the ability to make decisions from an early age. Therefore, I believe that it is crucial for the younger generations to exercise their freedom of choice from a young age.
The
children
of
today
have a greater
freedom
of
choice
than ever
before
. This has led to a discussion regarding the benefits of this phenomenon wherein,
some
voices advocate the importance of
decision making
from a young
age
,
especially
on matters pertaining to their
lives
.
However
, an opposing belief is that it will lead to these
children
growing up to be individualistic and
self centred
adults. This essay will discuss both view points and conclude with an opinion.
There are two essential benefits in allowing
children
the
freedom
of
choice
in making personal
decisions
.
Firstly
, they gain vital life experience from the consequences of the
choices
they
make
. This is an invaluable life lesson that cannot
be taught
by other means.
Secondly
, the ability to
make
decisions
also
accelerates their financial management
skills
.
For instance
, in a
comparitive
study conducted by the University of Oslo, it
was observed
that
children
who were
given
a greater
freedom
to
make
decisions
from an early
age
managed to handle their virtual assets in a simulation better than the control group. This result
emphasises
on the value of letting
children
choose for themselves.
On the other hand
, the view that letting
children
make
their
own
choices
will
eventually
result in
self centred
adults is somewhat pedantic. Allowing
children
this
freedom
is unlikely to result in narcissistic tendencies as there are fewer subconscious regrets in their minds regarding
potentially
missed opportunities. As an example, 3 out of 5 adults regret having grown up in a stifling environment and reported to have suffered from episodes of envy and retaliatory
behaviour
. This control centric approach is
thus
,
seemingly
counterproductive.
To conclude
, our society has always comprised of a varied spectrum of
people
having had
different
experiences pertaining to
decision making
in their formative years. Scientific literature points towards the benefits of inculcating the ability to
make
decisions
from an early
age
.
Therefore
, I believe that it is crucial for the younger generations to exercise their
freedom
of
choice
from a young
age
.