ShyGuyInChicago
October 11th, 2011, 11:05 PM
In the article, “The Good Enough Mother,” Anna Quindlen asserts that children’s time should not be too structured. Specifically, Quindlen argues that a child’s strongest memories are the good times and not the work they did. As the author herself puts it, “A good time is what they remember long after toddler programs and art projects are over.” Although some people believe that activities can prepare kids for the workforce, Quindlen insists that activities should be balanced with fun so that a child’s work ability and ability to function is not impaired. In sum, then, her view is that parents should be less involved with their children’s activities and give them some amount of independence (in Muller & Wiener, 2009, pp. 481-483).
I have mixed feelings. In my own view, activities must be balanced and scheduled flexibly so that there is time for leisure. In addition children and parents should choose the activities the children participate in. Some might object, of course, on the grounds that the parent can make the better choice. Yet I would argue if both parent and child are involved, it can teach the child how to make good decisions. Overall, then, I believe that activities, when balanced, can be a valuable tool to the development of children---an important point to make given the imperativeness of education.
Often the children and teenagers who need activities are in adverse situations. For example, they may live in the inner-city. They could be part of low-income family. Some are raised by single parents. All of this increases the likelihood of violence, drug use, poor school performance, and even inferior physical and mental health. Extra-curricular activities can give disadvantaged students something that will not only keep them off the streets, but give them the tools they need to improve their lives.
Activities can also help a person with college admissions. Many colleges want their students to be well-rounded. Therefore, extra-curricular activities can help with that. Activities can be a must if one wishes to attend an Ivy League school. In addition some schools that emphasize art and media require portfolios which can be created with after-school activities. As a result, earning the privilege of a higher education can be obtained with the help of extra-curricular activities.
Extra-curricular activities can also improve grades. Many activities require a certain grade point average in order for participation. Getting poor grades can result in losing the privilege of participating in activities. This gives incentive for students to do well in school, which will bring even more incentives in the future.
In addition to helping people overcome adversity, extra-curricular activities can help people become better-rounded. In life one needs to get good grades. It will open doors of opportunity career-wise and help people do basic everyday things such as figuring out how much money they spent, reading a sign, or writing a letter. In addition, there are not many jobs where one has to turn in papers and hopefully get them right. Activities can help improve social functions as well as serve as job training in a way. A child with political ambitions might consider joining student council. An aspiring actor might join the drama club or speech team. It can help youth with find out what exactly they want to do with their lives.
Some people object to the necessity of after-school activities. They might say that they can affect students’ school work in an adverse matter. However, the opposite can be true. The important thing is to balance school work with activities. In addition, activities can make a student better-rounded and as a result, make it more likely, that they will have better school performance. Extra-curricular activities are imperative for helping school performance and academic success.
Another possible counter-argument to my position is that children do not need activities to develop socially and learn social skills because they can do so at home. I would respond to such a claim by saying that while learning about life starts at home, children need to branch out so that such lessons are further developed and reinforced. In addition the way activities are set up can enable children to find friends who are good influences rather than people whom most parents would not necessarily want their children to spend time with.
In conclusion, after-school activities are incredibly valuable. They can help people in their childhood be nurtured into successful adults. It is important because as Whitney Houston said, “I believe that children are our future.”
Works Cited
Muller, G.H., & Wiener, H.S. (Ed.). (2009). The Short prose reader. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
I have mixed feelings. In my own view, activities must be balanced and scheduled flexibly so that there is time for leisure. In addition children and parents should choose the activities the children participate in. Some might object, of course, on the grounds that the parent can make the better choice. Yet I would argue if both parent and child are involved, it can teach the child how to make good decisions. Overall, then, I believe that activities, when balanced, can be a valuable tool to the development of children---an important point to make given the imperativeness of education.
Often the children and teenagers who need activities are in adverse situations. For example, they may live in the inner-city. They could be part of low-income family. Some are raised by single parents. All of this increases the likelihood of violence, drug use, poor school performance, and even inferior physical and mental health. Extra-curricular activities can give disadvantaged students something that will not only keep them off the streets, but give them the tools they need to improve their lives.
Activities can also help a person with college admissions. Many colleges want their students to be well-rounded. Therefore, extra-curricular activities can help with that. Activities can be a must if one wishes to attend an Ivy League school. In addition some schools that emphasize art and media require portfolios which can be created with after-school activities. As a result, earning the privilege of a higher education can be obtained with the help of extra-curricular activities.
Extra-curricular activities can also improve grades. Many activities require a certain grade point average in order for participation. Getting poor grades can result in losing the privilege of participating in activities. This gives incentive for students to do well in school, which will bring even more incentives in the future.
In addition to helping people overcome adversity, extra-curricular activities can help people become better-rounded. In life one needs to get good grades. It will open doors of opportunity career-wise and help people do basic everyday things such as figuring out how much money they spent, reading a sign, or writing a letter. In addition, there are not many jobs where one has to turn in papers and hopefully get them right. Activities can help improve social functions as well as serve as job training in a way. A child with political ambitions might consider joining student council. An aspiring actor might join the drama club or speech team. It can help youth with find out what exactly they want to do with their lives.
Some people object to the necessity of after-school activities. They might say that they can affect students’ school work in an adverse matter. However, the opposite can be true. The important thing is to balance school work with activities. In addition, activities can make a student better-rounded and as a result, make it more likely, that they will have better school performance. Extra-curricular activities are imperative for helping school performance and academic success.
Another possible counter-argument to my position is that children do not need activities to develop socially and learn social skills because they can do so at home. I would respond to such a claim by saying that while learning about life starts at home, children need to branch out so that such lessons are further developed and reinforced. In addition the way activities are set up can enable children to find friends who are good influences rather than people whom most parents would not necessarily want their children to spend time with.
In conclusion, after-school activities are incredibly valuable. They can help people in their childhood be nurtured into successful adults. It is important because as Whitney Houston said, “I believe that children are our future.”
Works Cited
Muller, G.H., & Wiener, H.S. (Ed.). (2009). The Short prose reader. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.