Some people think that family is the most important influence
on young adults. Other people think that friends are the most important
influence in young adults. Which view do you agree with? Use examples
to support your position.
Sample TOEFL essay answer:
As social beings, we are naturally influenced by those we meet
in the course of our lives. This is particularly true for young people,
whose character and personality are still malleable. Although friends
play a central role in the lives of teenagers, in my opinion, it is the
family which has a greater impact on young people. My view is based on
psychological, intellectual and financial reasons.
Psychologically, the family is the central grounding
factor for a young person, because the parents, brothers and sisters are
the ones who actually love him or her. It is through thousands of life
situations and family discussions that norms, values, customs,
traditions and expectations are passed on to the youngster. The depth of
relationship, developed over the years through shared joys and sorrows,
place family members in an incomparably close bond which cannot easily
be replicated by friends or anyone else.
Intellectually, the family impacts the young person’s ability
to think. Parents create the intellectual climate in the home. Whether
children develop the habit of reading, studying hard or striving to
achieve their goals depends largely on the parents' example. Whether
youngsters agree or disagree with their parents’ political or religious
views, the family remains a reference point against which young people
develop their individuality. In Asian cultures, where respect for elders
is an important value, the family plays an even more central role in
shaping the young person's world view.
Financially, the family influences the youngster by providing
a certain type of lifestyle. Home, school, friends, hobbies, clothes,
holidays and material possessions - all of these are impacted by the
family's prosperity. The same holds true for the youngster growing up in
a poor family- a totally different reality will surround that young
person. No friend could have this powerful or tangible an influence on
the teenager.
In conclusion, though friends can have a strong influence
on a young person, it is finally the family which provides the more
powerful backdrop in a young person’s life. The family's influence is
permanent, unforgettable and inescapable.
342 words
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