Topic: Write a letter to the editor showing your concern about the news “Parents rate results over children’s health” and express your view towards this issue.
Dear Editor,
I am writing regarding the local parenting styles. According to a news report, over 85% of parents put academic results and performance in music and sports above health when it comes to their child’s development. Only 13.6% cited “health condition” as being “extremely important”. It is time for parents to re-think their role.
The undue emphasis on academic results at the expense of children’s health is an unhealthy trend. Health is the precondition for a happy and successful life. Parents who only focus on their children’s academic performance are short-sighted. They do not realize health is an essential element in their life. Putting too much pressure on their children may affect their mental health. Faced with high pressure and expectation from parents, children may be afraid of examinations and their academic results may even be worse. It is important for parents to give their children more space to let them plan for their future. Instead of dictating their children’s everyday life, parents should support them and avoid setting unachievable targets on them. When the children see that their parents are optimistic and understanding, they will grow up physically and mentally healthy.
Also, in the survey, 87% of respondents said they hired domestic helpers to look after their children at home. Over 95% admitted they acted like a “secretary” for their children, taking care of their every need – preparing breakfast, getting their uniforms ready and doing research for their homework. Parents are too protective. Children are not necessarily happy if people help them do everything, as they will regard themselves as good-for-nothings. Making them responsible for their own affairs or teaching them to take care of others could help them build their self-confidence. They will gain much satisfaction when they know that they are being useful. If parents pamper their children, the children will rely on them and cannot learn to be independent. Parents who overindulge their children are actually preventing them from learning to face the difficulties by themselves. Parents should let their children try instead of protecting them from being hurt; otherwise the children cannot become mature in the future.
To conclude, what the children need is love and encouragement from their parents. If parents care too much about their children’s academic performance or other results and are indulgent towards them, they will harm their children in the long term. Just let the children go. What parents can do is to guide them to overcome obstacles, not help them.
Yours faithfully,
Carmen Cheng