IELTS Speaking

41

Parents/Children

1. What are the parents’ responsibilities towards their children?

Parents have many responsibilities towards their children, including providing safety and security, teaching life skills, encouraging good behavior, setting limits, providing emotional support, and modeling appropriate behavior. Parents are also responsible for making sure that their children have access to adequate nutrition, healthcare and education. 

2. What’s the influence of parents on their children?

The influence of parents on their children is powerful, as parents are usually the most influential people in a child's life. They shape the way their children think, feel, and act, and can help to foster a child's self-esteem, confidence, and decision-making skills. 

3. What would children do to make their parents proud?

Children can do a variety of things to make their parents proud, such as working hard in school, participating in extracurricular activities, helping out around the house, demonstrating good manners and respecting their parents' wishes. Other ways to make parents proud include displaying respect for others, practicing good self-care, showing kindness and exhibiting a positive attitude. 

4. What do you think are some of the most difficult problems faced by parents?

Some of the most difficult problems faced by parents include managing their children's behavior, dealing with financial issues, balancing work and family responsibilities, navigating family dynamics, addressing mental health concerns, and managing stress. Parents also face the challenge of navigating their children's social media lives, as well as keeping up with the ever-changing technology and cultural trends. 

5. Should parents reward their children for the good things that they do?

Yes, parents should reward their children for the good things that they do. Rewards can help children to develop positive behaviors and reinforce desirable habits. Rewards can be both tangible (e.g., a toy or treat) or intangible (e.g., praise or extra time with a parent). However, it is important to be mindful that rewards should not be used as a way to bribe or manipulate children. 

6. Should a good mother give up her job to stay at home with her children?

This is a personal decision and the answer will vary depending on the individual family's circumstances. Some mothers may choose to stay home with their children due to financial or emotional reasons, while others may feel that continuing to work will benefit both themselves and their family. Ultimately, the decision is up to each family to decide what is best for them. 

7. Do you think there should be a maximum age for parents to have a new child?

No, there should not be a maximum age for parents to have a new child. Every family should be able to make their own decision about when and if they want to have children. As long as the parents are able to provide a safe and loving home, there should not be any arbitrary limits on when they can have a child. 

8. Do you think it is OK to breast-feed in public?

Yes, I think it is OK to breastfeed in public. Breastfeeding is a natural and healthy process for both mother and baby, and mothers should not feel ashamed or embarrassed to do what is best for their child. Furthermore, nursing mothers should be supported and encouraged to breastfeed in public, as it helps to normalize the process and destigmatise the act of breastfeeding. 

9. Do you think gay couples can be good parents to adopted children?

Yes, gay couples can be excellent parents to adopted children. There is no evidence to suggest that same-sex couples are any less capable of providing a loving and safe home for a child than heterosexual couples. In fact, research has found that children raised by same-sex couples fare just as well as those raised by heterosexual couples in terms of social, emotional, and educational development. 

10. What do you think about single mothers?

Single mothers are incredibly brave and resilient for taking on the responsibility of raising a child alone. Single mothers often face a number of challenges, such as financial hardship, emotional stress, and a lack of support. Despite this, they often put their children’s needs before their own and strive to ensure that their children have the best possible future.

11. What do you think about parents who are too lenient with their children?

Parents who are overly lenient with their children can be inadvertently setting them up for failure in the future. It is important for parents to set clear boundaries and expectations, and to be consistent in enforcing them. This helps to provide structure and security for children, while also teaching them the value of responsibility and self-discipline.  

12. How should parents deal with their children's bad behaviour? 

Parents should be firm and consistent when dealing with their children's bad behavior. They should set clear expectations and consequences for unacceptable behavior, and ensure that their children understand the consequences of their actions. Parents should also take the time to talk to their children about the reasons for their misbehavior, and offer support and guidance in helping them to make better choices in the future. 

13. What is the best way to discipline children?

The best way to discipline children is to use a combination of positive and negative reinforcement. Positive reinforcement should be used to reward good behavior, while negative reinforcement should be used to discourage bad behavior. Discipline should be consistent and applied in a fair and respectful manner. Parents should also take the time to explain why a certain behavior is wrong, so that their child can understand the consequences of their actions.  

14. What should parents do to prepare their children for adulthood?

Parents should teach their children life skills such as financial literacy, problem solving, decision-making, and communication. They should also encourage their children to develop interests, hobbies and skills that will help them to be successful in their future endeavors. Additionally, parents should provide guidance and support to help their children develop healthy habits and develop a strong sense of self-esteem and identity.  

15. What do you think are the most important values that parents should teach their children? 

The most important values that parents should teach their children are respect, honesty, kindness, responsibility, and resilience. Parents should also teach their children the importance of hard work, good communication, and goal-setting. Teaching these values will help children to develop into well-rounded, responsible adults.