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Causes, effects and solutions FamilyWorkSociety Essay #214
Writing Task 2

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Write about the following topic:

Many parents today do not spend much time with their children.

Why is this? Does this affect parents or children more?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

Use the plan, then compare with Band 9.
253 words · 4 paragraphs
Introduction

Discusses the worry about parents spending less time with children today and states the essay will explain why this happens and its effects on both parents and children.

The contemporary trend of parents spending less time with their children is a subject of growing concern. This essay aims to explore the reasons behind this phenomenon and to examine its impact on both parents and children.

Body 1 · View 1

Discusses reasons why parents spend less time: high demands of work life (long hours) and widespread use of digital technology (parents absorbed in devices).

The first reason for this trend is the increasing demands of professional life. In an era of cut-throat competition, parents often find themselves working long hours to secure their jobs, thereby reducing the time they can spend with their children. A second contributing factor is the rise of digital technology. The proliferation of smartphones and tablets has led to a situation where even when parents are physically present, they may be mentally absent, engrossed in their digital worlds.

Body 2 · View 2

Discusses the effects on both parents and children, noting different impacts. For children: feeling neglected/insecure, potential behavioral problems, poor school performance. For parents: feeling guilty/regretful, missing out, emotional stress, strain on family relationships.

Transitioning to the second question, the impact of this trend is felt deeply by both parents and children, albeit in different ways. For children, the lack of parental interaction can lead to feelings of neglect and insecurity. This emotional void can potentially lead to behavioral issues and poor academic performance. On the other hand, parents may experience a sense of guilt and regret. They may feel that they are missing out on their children's formative years, which can lead to emotional distress and strain familial relationships.

Conclusion

Summarizes the reasons (work pressures, digital technology) and consequences (emotional stress for both, behavioral/academic problems for children).

In conclusion, the decreasing amount of time parents spend with their children can be attributed to the pressures of professional life and the intrusion of digital technology. This trend has significant repercussions, leading to emotional distress for both parents and children, and potentially causing behavioral issues and academic underperformance among the latter.

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Writing Task 2

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Writing Task 2

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Next question: Some young people are leaving the countryside to live in cities and towns, leaving only old people in the countryside. Why do think this is? Do you think this is a positive or negative development?