Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?Classmates are a more important influence than parents on a child’s success in school.Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
Some people think that school friends give more influence to a child’s success than parents. Although the existence of friends has some positive effect, I personally believe that parents give more significant effect to the child’s success.
It is undeniable that classmates play a significant role in a child success, as friends could help each other. One of the examples is when a child does not understand a lesson, he could ask a help from his friends. And then, when a child joins a sports competition, his friends might support him and give him encouragement. Despite all the positive sides, they could also bring negatives things as well. For instance, one of the classmates might be addicted to drugs, and he could influence the others to use it.
Many people believe that parents have more significant contributions to a child’s academic study than classmates. Even though they might not be giving technical advice to the child, but they give moral support. For example, a child might have some difficulties with his exam and has to study until late at night, his parents might give some motivational words that inspire him, and also stay awake to accompany the child. And then, parents will also provide all funds needed for the improvement of the child’s academic study. For instance, a child might have some problems with mathematics, and the parents might hire a private tutor for their child.
In conclusion, I do agree that school friends have some positive effect on a child’s academic performance, but I do not agree if people think that classmates give more important influence than parents. I believe that parents play more vital roles in a child’s success, as they give moral and financial support.
Alternative Answer:
I cannot completely agree with the statement that classmates are a more important influence than parents on a child’s success in school. In this essay, I will first focus on the reasons why I agree with this statement and then list a few points why from my opinion in some cases is not true.
From the one side, classmates have a significant influence on child’s behaviour and his or her success in school. First of all, children spend much time at school. Classmates have many things in common such as age, interests, homework and classes after all. So, they discuss their impressions about a new teacher, solve problems together, learn their homework, gain new knowledge and experience and even make their own discoveries. Sharing all these makes them closer. Some of them become friends and they spend after-school time together. In addition, friends tend to copy each other’s habits and manners. For instance, my little sister became friends with the girl who did not have good grades at school at that time. It does not mean she could not have better grades; she just had many friends who did not care about their grades. So, when they started to spend their time together and share their interests, girl’s grades improved. They did their homework together, shared their dreams and exciting moments. From this point, I must agree that classmates can change child’s attitude towards school.
From the other side, parents have a great influence on children’ success in school too. For example, if parents show an interest in their child’s progress and talk to him or her about the importance of learning I think their child will listen to them and do his or her best.
Personally, I believe that relationships between parents and a child play an essential role in child’s success in school. If these relationships are close and wholehearted I am sure that parents should not be afraid of bad influence from the outside.