Parents can instill good moral values in their children by leading by example in their own behavior, spending quality time with their children, and having open discussions about real-world issues and events. Spending time together helps foster strong relationships where children feel comfortable approaching their parents with questions. It is important for parents to demonstrate good priorities, morality, and beliefs through their own actions rather than just words. Leading by example and engaging children in discussions about societal and world issues provides children with guidance on navigating challenges as they grow into adults.

1. NORTHSOUTH FOUNDATION 2008 NATIONAL SENIOR
ESSAY WRITING FINALS TOP ESSAYS
Topic:
What can parents do to instill good moral values in their children who seem
to be shaped by their contemporary models? Are today’s parents good role
models? We reap what we sow when it comes to teaching values to children.
Write an inspiring essay advising an audience of parents on how to be good
role models.
Essay A
In the whirlwind of media depicting wild teen stars and news reports flashing
images of teenagers pushed over the edge, many parents are at a loss for providing their
children with good role models. But a real-model for children can come from closer to
the home. Parents who spend valuable time with their children, engage their kids by
expanding their horizons, and lead by example can raise children with a strong
foundation in moral values.
It is scientifically proven that parents who spend more time with their children
will usually raise more intelligent children who are better citizens of the world. Early
childhood development peaks at infancy, so even at this young age parents must make a
valient effort to engage their children. Whether it be by reading books together, taking
walks together, or imagining with toys together infant to parent communication is the
first seed in creating a flourishing garden of personality. There too many toddlers who are
instructed to leave their parent alone and just go watch TV is often replaced with quality
time for young children, subjecting them from an early age to the corruption of society.
As children grow parents must continue the interaction. Whether it be in family walks,
movies, game nights, or at the dinner table it is integral to development to continue
interactions between the child and the parent. Another crucial stage in brain development
comes in the early years of adolescence. Although their child may resist out of
embarrassment, parents should continue planning activities and spending time with their
growing child. Absolutely nothing can replace the link created by meaningful parent to
child interactions.
As children mature and grow, parents should expand their child’s horizens with
open discussions and new outlooks. The previously discussed link fostered between the
parent and child from infancy will pave the way for activities of more significance and
meaning. As a child reaches adolescence he or she should slowly be exposed to real life.
Political discussions, friendly debates, or even celebrity gossip are engaging ways to
further the link with your child. Not only will you be able to provide them with their first
glimpse into the real world, you will also be opening the door for them to approach you
with questions about any situation. A great way to prompt these discussions is to watch
the news with your child. While watching it is helpful to give your own opinions about
the morality of actions of others. This is especially important if watching celebrity gossip.
It is important to explain to your child that while celebrities may have “the life” their wild
actions are absolutely not acceptable. Michael Jackson, Linsey lohan, and Jodi Sweetin
can be offered as examples of celebrities who destroyed their careers with impulsive
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2. decisions about looks, fame, and drugs. Besides chatting with your children about the real
world, it is important that you let them experience it. Bring them to work one day for a
job shadow, give them a taste of food from different cultures, encourage them to learn a
new language. By talking to children about the real world and presenting them with a
global perspective parents can develop an open mind of thought and experience in their
children.
Perhaps the single greatest thing a parent can do to raise a child with good morals
is to lead by example. It has been proven that from a young age children will do as they
see. They will copy siblings and even imitate their favorite TV characters. If a parent
wishes to raise a child with good morals, he or she must first find these morals within him
or her self. Whether or not they are consciously aware of it children of all ages imitate
their parents. This is the reason why children of alcoholics often end up being or marying
alcoholics themselves. Therefore, what one wishes to see in their child they must first
display. For example, if you want your child to watch the news, you should watch it and
discuss it with them. If you want a child to clean their room, set an example by keeping
the house clean. Oh and NEVER ever lie in front of a young child, even if it is a white
lie. Not only can this lead to embaressing consequences, it also sends a message that
lying is ok. The actions of parents are crucial to the moral development of children.
While many believe that current society is bereft of any iconic models, it is
crucial to remember that parents are often the best role models for their children. Parents
who spend time with their children, instill a global view in their children, and lead by
example, are wonderful role models who can raise children with solid moral values.
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3. Essay B
Think Like a Duck
A common image to any student of biology is the crucial first moment after a brood of
baby ducklings first emerge from their shells. The infants’ eyes cast about frantically
until they finally seize hold of and recognize the mother duck. In this one, fleeting
glimpse, the ducklings imprint upon their parent and grasp hold of the key to their own
future success. Ducks, as to other animals, learn everything about themselves by
watching the parent. Feeding behavior, swimming, evasion of predators, even recognition
of potential mates – all duck wisdom is passed down from mother to child of course, a
mother duck does not simply tell her brood what is expected of them – instead, she
teaches by example. In watching Mommy feed, Baby learns how to as well. In the
lifestyle of ducks lies a crucial lesson that is invaluable in the education of human
children. The child depends on the parents to teach it exactly what humanity entails. The
parent is wholly responsible to impart the correct priorities, moral values, and belief
systems to her child so that the latter can function correctly in human society. And
whether duck or human, the only correct and effective way to impart these lessons is by
example.
The first life lessons a child must inherit from his parents are the correct priorities. Life
is an endless parade of choices in which an individual must allocate his limited time and
energy to activities he views as important. The duty of the parent is to instill in the child
the notion that familial obligations, responsibilities to society, and education of the self
and others are all noble and worthy goals that must come before personal enjoyment or
sensual indulgence. The single, crucial method for instilling the correct priorities in one’s
children is to follow those priorities oneself. A parent who attends his son’s Little league
game rather than the World Series proudly displays his priority to family. A mother who
spends her day off volunteering at her community soup kitchen shows she values service
over personal pleasure. The baby ducklings, gazing at his parents, comes to value these
same obligations, takes them to heart, and will ultimately give them the highest priority in
his own future life. If a parent allows their priorities to be seen and felt in their actions
rather than merely heard in words, they exert a much more profound influence on the
attitudes of their progeny. Children cannot be expected to know what the important
aspects of life, what priorities they must hold dear, are – this must be shown to them by
their parents.
The second gift parents must bequeath their children is a set of moral values and
qualities. Honesty, empathy, compassion – all of these are words that any parent wants to
hear their child spoken about with. But what value will the son of a fast talking con artist
ever assign to honesty? Parents are the guides that children use to define humanity itself.
A ruthless business executive lacking all empathy will never be able to give his daughter
the idea that compassions and love are noble qualities. For the first part of their lives,
children equate their parents with life itself. As such, they magnify their moral values and
personality traits to almost mythic proportions. It is the parent’s prerogative to decide
what moral (or immoral) behavior and values they wish to display around their children;
however, they must realize that any trait of theirs will later determine what qualities their
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4. sons and daughters admire and value. Thus, the moral compass and personality of
children also depends entirely on the parents’ example.
Finally, parents must also serve as examples of the belief systems they wish their
children to adopt. Religion, political affiliation, philosophy – all serve as support and
comfort in times of trouble as well as glasses through which the entire world is viewed. A
child’s belief systems form an integral part of how they interact with the world and how
they cope with joy and sorrow. In a recent survey, two-thirds of children were found to
mimic their parents’ political affiliations. Large majorities of children also practice the
same religious faith that their parents do. If parents teach their child about their own
beliefs and philosophy by example – by attending prayer services or by commenting on
political developments-they teach the child how to build a critical framework within
which they can view the world. This framework will give them support and lend meaning
to their lives.
Thus, in order to be good role models in today’s society, parents must teach their
children priorities, morality, and beliefs by example. In doing so, parents will teach their
children exactly what it means to be human. The golden nuggets of wisdom that
constitute humanity itself can only be passed on from father to son, from mother to
daughter. The responsibility of being a good role model is enormous, as is the pressure
that accompanies being responsible for the future success and well-being of a human
being. To parents embarkin on this all-important journey, I offer you one small piece of
wisdom: think like a duck.
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5. Essay C
The perfect parent doesn’t have to be the coolest mom on the block. He doesn’t have to
be the hippest dad. As parents, you have a responsibility far more weighty than
impressing your friends. You have raise your children into mature, responsible adults
with firm moral values and ethics. This task however, deems itself more difficult than
wearing the latest fads, or befriending your children as peers. The plethora of negative
media attention weaves itself into the lives of children universally, whether that be
through a magazine article or a discussion at school. We see daily examples of DUIs and
improper dressing, excessive violence and unnecessary murders. It can be hard to shield a
budding flower from these ravaging hailstorms of bad media. And while today’s parents
are trying their best to instill good values in children, they can only do so much.
Demonstrating and teaching values are key to teaching proper values, but trust and
responsibility on the children’s part is also vital.
Like a mirror, parents must act the way they want to see their children behave.
Swearing and inappropriate actions can leave lasting impressions on children, so it is best
to keep these out of children’s access. You might be thinking of your attempts to quit
smoking, which were been bold, but ultimately a failure. If you absolutely can’t cut the
habit, at least advise your children about the downfalls of smoking. Showing the
repercussions will warn children not to continue the bad habits. Television shows like
Gossip Girl also glamorize many habits not desirable in society. And contrary to the
many arguments stating otherwise, the shows do influence the way children act and think.
As a student, I have seen countless examples of this. The best thing to do is not to taboo
the show, which believe it or not, actually increases children’s curiousity. Instead,
watching with your child, and discussing the behavior will provide children with insight
into the reality behind the show. Demonstrating values yourself and discussing them with
your children will ultimately help form their morals and value systems properly.
Another role, as parent, is to point out examples of virtue and vice in society.
Real-life examples help children believe that the morals and values taught actually have
meaning. I can listen to my parents drone on and on about proper behavior, but until I see
it, I won’t really care. As a young child, my dad would never lecture me on the
importance of being courteous. But in public situations, he would always remind me to
regard my manners and say “please” and “thank you”. This reinforcement has led me to
be the courteous person I am today and my father’s reminders are no longer quite
necessary. So propriety is important, but what about other values, of knowing right from
wrong? Pointing out examples, like that of Jamie Lyn Spears premarital teenage sex, and
Linsay Lohan’s DUI’s, can help enforce positive values in children. We all want children
to be stable adults before entering parenthood, and we fear the risks of underage drinking
and driving. On a more trivial matter, no one wants to be thought of as a grandpa until
they actually have white hair. Pointing out the mistakes of young people under the media
spotlight, and discussing the repercussions they face shows children, particularly
teenagers that thoughtless acts “in the moment” can lead to sever and possibly permanent
detrimental consequences. With the proper guidance and counseling, external events can
be translated into interesting lessons with your children. But in addition to enforcing the
moral values, some freedom of thought must also be given.
Trust is a key factor in parenting. Trusting children to follow your rules, and
trusting them to make wise choices. Trust in your children often accompanies another
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6. trait – responsibility. The proper amount of trust accompanies the responsibility your
child has to himself, his body, his family, and even to his peers. This can mean letting
your daughter go that party, or allowing your son to use the car. As parents, its important
to let your children demonstrate their values, and too many restrictions usually leads to
rebellion. However, as everything else with parenting, there is no clear cut equation for
allotting trust. This is why repercussions of actions must always be emphasized, and
explanations for forbidden things must always be provided. The simple “no” usually will
not suffice, and only an explanation will help children understand the reasons behind the
rules, helping them also understand your values and beliefs. Another tactic to help
develop trust is to use role-play scenarios. Allowing your children to exercise decision
making skills in safe environments, these scenarios can help foster the feelings of trust
and responsibility.
Providing a mirror of good values, discussing real-life situations and fostering
trust are some mechanism that get moral values from you to your children. Numerous
studies have shown that knowing right and wrong only develops during adolescence, and
environmental triggers play a large role in this process. Proper demonstration, discussion
and direction, the “three Ds” you could say, help provide the moral and ethical
framework all parents hope to see in their children.
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