GT Writing Task 2 (Essay Writing) Sample # 37
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Present a written argument or case to an educated reader with no specialist knowledge of the following topic:
The position of women in society has changed markedly in the last twenty years. Many of the problems young people now experience, such as juvenile delinquency, arise from the fact that many married women now work and are not at home to care for their children.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
You should write at least 250 words.
You should use your own ideas, knowledge and experience and support your arguments with examples and relevant evidence.
Model Answer 1: [Agree]
Traditionally women are responsible to take care of their children while men are the bread earners for the family. However, the roles of mothers and fathers have shifted tremendously in the modern era and many mothers have demanding jobs while fathers take care of the house. This changing shift, in my opinion, is the primary reason for adolescent misconduct, and it is not because fathers are insincere but because both parents are busy outside.
To begin with, women got their voting rights, one of the most fundamental rights of any citizen regardless of their race, sex and ethnicity, not more than a century ago and afterwards, they have remarkably progressed in every sector. As a result, they are no longer confined and forced to play the traditional roles of a mother and interestingly fathers are not fully ready yet to exchange the roles with the mothers. No matter how much cordial fathers are, they can not take full responsibility for what mothers usually perform, and natural selection makes females better caregivers than men. Children are often caught in this changing shift and sadly they are the worst victim of this social change.
I believe, upbringing a child is one of the hardest tasks in our life and if both parents do not spend sufficient time with their children and fail to make an impact on their children’s lives, our children will suffer from depression, abuse drugs and finally conduct criminal activities. Not that we never had juvenile delinquency in the past when mothers used to take care of their children, but the percentage has soared when mothers started prioritising their careers over their children. Crime and drug abuse rates are higher in countries where both parents work and I am convinced that many of these youngsters would not have turned into criminals had they been given enough care and attention by their parents, especially mothers. Finally, I believe that mothers are more deeply connected to their children and can understand their needs more accurately. As a result, when they start spending time outside, children start growing antipathy towards the family and finally suffer from depression which ultimately leads to misbehaviour and crime.
To conclude, both parents should make sure their children get enough time and care from them so that their upbringing is not faulty and does not make their children depressed and perpetrators.
Model Answer 2: [Disagree]
We tend to blame someone for every problem we have in our society and when it comes to young people’s struggle and misconduct, we indict mothers and their careers for it. However, we forget to appreciate their hard work and dedication to support the family and I believe that parental responsibilities should be equally shared by both parents and juvenile delinquency is not a direct result of professional married women.
To begin with, mothers in many cases work simply because they want to make ends meet. They work hard to pay the bills, bring food to the table and pay their children’s tuition to give them the best education they need to have a bright future. In this ever-competitive modern era, a father’s earning is not enough to have a high living standard and that’s why mothers step up and make things easier for the family. Research indicates that youngsters commit more crimes when they are not attached to schools and have no career vision. In this regard, mothers are actually contributing to making their children more focused on education and staying away from mischief.
Despite mothers’ best efforts, many people still think that working women are no longer placing family as their priority these days as they are busy working. But from my experience, I can say that my mother, who is a government employee, tries even harder to spend more time with us and my father has taken a part-time job as a journalist so that he can be at home when we need him. It is hard to agree with the notion that professional mothers are the reason for youngsters’ distress and wrongdoing because bad influence, insincerity from fathers, easy access to technology and its misuse and prevailing drug issues in our society are much bigger factors for that.
To conclude, a career woman in a family is not a factor in the increasing level of juvenile delinquency. Therefore, fathers should come forward and share responsibilities and both parents should make sure that their children are converged in education and do not keep bad companies.
Model Answer 3: [Disagree]
The changing position of women in society over the past two decades has undoubtedly had a significant impact on various aspects of life. However, it is overly simplistic to attribute the problems experienced by young people, such as juvenile delinquency, solely to the fact that many married women now work and are not at home to care for their children. This essay will present arguments against this opinion and highlight the multifaceted nature of the issue.
The increased participation of women in the workforce has been accompanied by societal changes that have influenced juvenile delinquency. It is important to recognize that the causes of delinquency are multifaceted and include factors such as social inequality, peer influence, and inadequate support systems. The absence of a mother at home cannot be solely blamed for the rise in delinquent behaviour among young people. Additionally, it is crucial to consider the positive impacts of women’s economic empowerment, such as improved financial stability and role modelling for their children.
The notion that a mother’s absence from home due to work automatically leads to increased juvenile delinquency overlooks the evolving parenting dynamics and support systems available today. In many cases, families have established alternative arrangements for childcare, such as shared responsibilities among parents, extended family support, or high-quality daycare facilities. Moreover, advancements in technology and communication allow parents to stay connected and involved in their children’s lives, even while being away for work.
In conclusion, the changing position of women in society and the increased number of working mothers should not be seen as the sole cause of problems experienced by young people, including juvenile delinquency. The issue is far more complex and influenced by various factors. It is crucial to consider the broader societal changes, parenting dynamics, and support systems available to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the situation.