The older generations tend to have very traditional ideas about how people should live, think and behave. However, some people believe that these ideas are not helpful in preparing younger generations for modern life. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view?

In the time of modernity, elderly people are thought to hold out-dated views which are useless for youngsters.  Although, I accept that some traditional ideas can be sometimes obsolete, but I believe that others still have a positive effect on young people.

 On the one hand, strict and traditional thoughts can be becoming less relevant for modern younger persons who get influences from Western culture. For one reason, they tend to have different values, attitudes and aims in life from those of older people. For example, today’s couple have a highly tendency to live in small nuclear families rather than large extended ones. Moreover, old-style taboos and rules could inevitably have a harmful impact, such as sexual discrimination which force women assume childcare responsibilities and sacrifice their career, even their dream. This certainly goes against the values of a free and fair society.

On the other hand, showing respect towards the elderly’s decisions and other aspects of life is highly justifiable. Older people can have accumulated knowledge and valuable experiences, this could easily help their child deal with troubles. Especially in the age of puberty, with physical and psychological changes, teenagers will certainly need their parent advices to experience this important stage of a human body. Besides, the traditional pattern of life still remains its educational values in society that has changed beyond recognition day by day. By telling fairy tales for children, parents want to teach their children become not only a good manner person but also a law-abiding citizen. In addition, it is also important to maintain our different cultural identities.

In conclusion, it seems to me that although the youth of today have greater opportunities to acquire knowledge than ever before, but they should not dismiss all traditional ideal as irrelevant