Argumentative Essay: Happy Child, Happy Life

Happy Child, Happy Life

I’m sure we’ve all had those days where we were just annoyed at those things. Those things, to be precise, would be our parents. Agitated, frustrated from a bad day or a disagreement, we take it out on our parents by screaming at every single thing they say, not giving them a chance to speak. Now, although kids should be able to stand up for themselves, children should be more respectful to their parents.

Imagine two armies with their guns loaded, ready to fire. A war? Kind of except it’s two versus one. Two being the parents—one being an ill-mannered child. Being an average kid, most would think that I would choose the side of a child trying to “stand up” to their parents—but no. After seeing so many kids act disrespectfully to their parents, it hasn’t become just a “stand up for what I believe in”; it’s my way or the highway. 

First, let’s think about parents. They have provided for you your whole life. Food, water, an education, a roof to put above your heads, they’ve provided everything they can for their kids. Yet it still boggles me—after all of the hard work parents do, children will still be ungrateful. Trust me, I’ve had my fair share of complaints, but with my parents, if it’s not a need, you can’t have it. And I know it may not be like that for every family. I’ve seen the different ways parents and kids interact. There was this one friend of mine in particular who I will forever undoubtedly remember. We were on our way to the mall with her tiny, kid-size prada bag in hand. Walking into a small clothes shop, there she was already on the edge of a tantrum, bugging her mom for a new set of clothes that she would probably use once and leave to rot in her closet. Her mom being the obliging person she is—said yes. Is this really how children repay their guardians? With a cry for new clothes and a car?

Another thing is that kids will later grasp that what their parents were suggesting, were simply out of love to help with giving advice for what’s best for them. Some may think that parents don’t always know what’s best for them, but generally they’re trying to keep you safe from the dangers in life and trying to help you avoid the mistakes that they may have possibly made before. They’ve been in this world longer and they just may know a thing or two more about how the world works. And don’t forget about how back in their day it wasn’t just sunshine, lollipops, and rainbows. They had to go through a lot more adversities. 

And lastly, no parent should ever be apprehensive of their own child. “Empowering Parents”, a forum for parents in need of parenting counseling, talked about how a parent afraid of their own child, gives power to the kid. For example, you see a child having a huge tantrum in public. Their face red and tears profusely coming out. Embarrassed, humiliated, and ashamed, the parents have no choice but to cave in to their child’s wants. If parents keep caving into their children, when they get older, the intimidation becomes more real. Not only verbally—but physically. These kids will abuse their family and purposely break and damage the furniture around the house. At that point, it becomes a very real problem. Studies done by the Social Forces Academic Journal have shown that although most think parents are the ones who are supposed to be influencing the child, the child and the parent’s feelings are correlated. So if the child’s unhappy, the parents are unhappy and vice versa. That means it’s everyone’s job to make the home a happy place. 

The right to choose whether you want children to act and develop this way is in your hands. Do you really want parents to not do their jobs, not help their children—be afraid of their own child? Is this really what you want? I urge you. I advise you, to go home tonight and love your parents a little more. Give them a hug. Do a little to help them out. They may just like it a little better with a child not controlling them.