Should Children Be Taught How to Become Good Parents at School?

This guide provides a detailed analysis of a model essay asking whether children should be taught how to become good parents at school, showing you how to structure a compelling argument, handle counter-arguments, and achieve a top grade.

Why this matters on the exam

Discursive essay prompts, which require you to discuss different sides of an issue, are a staple of the English exam at VG1, VG2, and VG3 levels. You will frequently encounter tasks like "Discuss the pros and cons of..." or "To what extent do you agree...". This topic, concerning the role of schools in teaching life skills, is a classic example. Mastering the structure of presenting an argument, acknowledging an opposing view, and then refuting it (a technique called rebuttal) is crucial for a high score. The ability to move beyond simple "for" and "against" lists to a nuanced discussion demonstrates higher-order thinking, which is exactly what examiners are trained to reward.

Core concepts of argumentative writing

To write a strong discursive essay, you must understand its key components. These building blocks help you construct a logical, persuasive, and well-structured text. The model essay below uses all of these elements effectively.

Model Essay: Should Children Be Taught How to Become Good Parents at School?

Introduction

Parenting is one of the most important responsibilities an individual can take on, yet it is often a role people are expected to learn without formal education. Many people believe that schools should include parenting education in their curriculum to prepare young people for future family life. Others argue that such lessons are unnecessary or that parenting skills should be learned naturally through experience. This essay will discuss both perspectives and argue that teaching parenting at school can have significant long-term benefits for individuals and society.

Body Paragraph 1 – Arguments for Teaching Parenting at School

Supporters of parenting education in schools believe that young people should be equipped with practical life skills, not only academic knowledge. Parenting requires emotional intelligence, patience, communication, and responsibility—qualities that can be taught and developed from an early age. By learning about child development, nutrition, emotional support, and discipline strategies, students can be better prepared for the challenges of raising children.

Furthermore, many social problems such as neglect, abuse, and family breakdown stem from poor parenting skills. If schools taught students how to care for children and manage relationships, it could reduce the number of dysfunctional families in the future. For instance, lessons on empathy and emotional regulation could help prevent violence or unhealthy parenting patterns. Additionally, teenagers would learn about the physical, emotional, and financial responsibilities of parenthood, which could discourage early or unplanned pregnancies.

Body Paragraph 2 – Benefits for Society and the Next Generation

Educating children about good parenting has the potential to benefit society as a whole. Well-informed future parents are more likely to raise emotionally healthy, confident, and responsible children. This in turn creates stronger families and more stable communities. Teaching parenting skills can also promote equality by encouraging both boys and girls to share caregiving roles, challenging traditional gender stereotypes.

Moreover, parenting lessons could include education about mental health and positive communication, which are increasingly important in modern families. In an age where many parents struggle to balance work and family life, equipping the next generation with emotional literacy and stress management skills could lead to happier, healthier homes. By normalizing discussions about parenting, schools can help young people see family life not as a burden, but as an opportunity for love, growth, and shared responsibility.

Body Paragraph 3 – Arguments Against Teaching Parenting at School

On the other hand, critics argue that parenting is too personal and complex to be taught in a classroom. They believe that family traditions, culture, and personal experience play a much greater role than school lessons. Parenting is deeply emotional, and no amount of theoretical knowledge can prepare someone for the real experience of raising a child. For example, every child is unique, and what works for one parent might not work for another.

Another argument is that schools are already overloaded with academic subjects, and adding parenting lessons might take away time from core subjects like mathematics or science. Some people also believe that teaching parenting at school could conflict with family values, as different cultures have different beliefs about discipline, gender roles, and parenting methods. Therefore, they argue that it should remain a private matter, taught at home rather than in public education.

Body Paragraph 4 – A Balanced Approach

While these concerns are valid, parenting education does not need to be overly detailed or prescriptive. Instead, it could focus on universal principles such as empathy, communication, and responsibility—skills that are useful even for students who may never become parents. Practical lessons on health, emotional well-being, and child safety could be integrated into existing subjects like social studies or health education.

Moreover, real-life projects, role-playing activities, or community involvement programs could make parenting education engaging and realistic. Collaborating with psychologists, pediatricians, or experienced parents could give students a more authentic understanding of what raising a child entails. In this way, schools can provide guidance without replacing the influence of families and cultural values.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while parenting is a deeply personal experience that cannot be fully taught in a classroom, providing young people with basic parenting education can prepare them for one of life’s greatest responsibilities. By understanding the emotional, physical, and social aspects of raising children, students can develop empathy, maturity, and a sense of responsibility. Although schools should respect cultural diversity and avoid imposing strict parenting models, including parenting skills as part of a life education curriculum would benefit individuals, families, and society as a whole. Ultimately, good parenting is not just about raising children—it is about shaping the future of humanity.

Common pitfalls students fall into

Even with a good understanding of the topic, students can lose marks by making common structural or argumentative errors. Here are three major pitfalls to avoid when writing about parenting education in schools and similar topics. …