Category: Social Issues

The most important role of a parent is to teach their child moral
values. Discuss.

Possible Points to discuss the role of a parent to teach their child moral values

  • consider the various roles of a parent in their child’s development
  • discuss the extent to which teaching moral values is the most important role
  • make a judgement, based on consideration of the evidence and argument put forward about the most important role of a parent.
  • what is meant by ‘moral values’ depending on cultural, social and individual outlooks
  • the importance of acquiring moral values for interaction with others preparing for later life
  • children learning values from parents by example, teaching, reward and punishment, and exposure to real or fictional role models
  • socialisation occurs in many contexts, not just within the family circle
  • important parental roles include providing safety and security in various contexts
  • parents supporting their child emotionally and intellectually to fulfil their potential
  • parents having to care for themselves not just their children
  • different family models may be considered, as may different stages of a child’s development.

Evaluate the effectiveness of public transport provision in your country.

Points of discussion for the effectiveness of public transport provision

  • review the current effectiveness of public transport system in their own country
  • consider the environmental and accessibility concerns involved
  • make a judgement, based on the consideration of the evidence and argument put forward.
  • the possible differences between public and private ownership of any transport systems in their own country
  • the necessity to tackle the environmental issues caused by pollution due to ineffective transport systems
  • those antiquated infrastructures are not fit for today’s travel needs
  • the use of greener alternatives to the current transport systems and their issues of cost and availability
  • safety concerns for passengers and pedestrians whilst using public transport
  • the efficient movement of people being necessary for economic purposes
  • the investment in new routes and networks to reach more remote areas
  • the reliability and availability of the transport service to different regions.

To what extent has traditional family life lost its importance in your country?

Possible points for discussing if traditional family life has lost its importance

  • examine the role of the traditional family in their country
  • consider how far traditional family life has lost its importance
  • make a judgement, based on the consideration of the evidence and argument put forward.
  • the changing view of gender roles in society at large being reflected in life at home
  • less attention being given to the elders in society, with a resultant loss of respect
  • more knowledge of what is happening in the wider world provides alternative examples of family life
  • the influence of technology, especially on the young, meaning that family authority is eroded
  • most upbringing being still in the area of one’s birth, where tradition often prevails
  • how traditional values are linked to family structure and way of living
  • the impact of migration as people leave from or return to their countries
  • familial bonds being difficult to break, even when younger members leave the area.

‘As countries pursue development, heritage sites  are  losing their relevance.’ How far do  you agree?

Infrastructure development within a country will inevitably  will result  in some sacrifices  be  made. This question arises  from the  idea progress should   not  be  held  back  by  history.  Some  heritage  sites  carry  significant  cultural  and  historic symbolism for the community. However,  when countries have  to balance between progress and  history, it is often  inevitable  that  such  heritage sites  are  losing relevance to  make  way for  future  development. When  such heritage sites  are removed, the fear is that  the memories and  identity  of the community will be  lost.

Demonstrate that  heritage sites  are  losing  their  relevance based on their understanding regarding the pressures and demands that come from nations’ pursuit  of economic, social and political  developments. Evaluate  if the  functions  and  purposes of  heritage  sites continue to keep  their significance while nations develop.

There are no great leaders in the world today. Discuss.

• consider what makes a great leader
• explore a range of great leaders in the world from all areas of life
• make a judgement, based on the consideration of the evidence and argument put forward.
• leaders that have brought their country through war, famine or other significant difficulties
• corrupt leaders, often lauded, diminishing the greatness of a country
• economic success being ascribed to great leadership and other factors
• great leaders in the world offering moral, ethical and spiritual leadership in a range of roles
• the many occasions when the really ‘great’ leaders are marginalised
• leaders that are feared or revered and the effect they have on others and their country
• those leaders who are not in power but strive to be
• the many possible qualities and attributes a ‘great’ leader might have.

‘Given the  cost  of conflict,  it should  always be  avoided.’ Discuss.

Conflict is widely regarded as something that  incurs some form of cost  to all parties involved,  especially for those wielding  lesser  power  in the  dispute. While it is oft assumed that  these costs  outweigh the  potential benefits (if any) arising from the conflict and should  thus be avoided, there could  be situations where  the cost is justified or where  the conflict is unavoidable despite the potential cost incurred.

Show that the condition of the cost of conflict in every argument when evaluating whether it should  be  avoided. Provide  clear yardsticks  or criteria for evaluating and weighing whether disagreements should  always be avoided or not, given the costs  incurred.

Consider the possibility  that  some conflicts may be  unavoidable despite the potential cost. Consider the possibility  that  some conflicts may be the right course of action  if the potential cost is outweighed by the potential benefits of conflicts. Candidates are able  to discuss  the worth and value.

Consider the  importance of nature in your society.

While intuitively we know that  nature is important for societies, we may take it for granted. By examining the roles  and  functions  nature plays  for [insert your country]. Evaluate  how  big  a part  nature plays  in the lives of citizens of [insert your country] and if our belief in the importance of nature truly reflects in the actions of citizens towards preservation and  conservation of nature in their country. The assumption is that there is worth in nature and  importance of nature [insert your country].

Demonstrate the purposes and  uses  of nature in [insert your country] and  evaluate the value and relevance of these purposes and  uses  to the  average citizen. Examine the challenges  that  will cause [insert your country] to  weigh  the  value  and  relevance of nature against  other  competing demands.

Present  the  impact  from  various  levels  of society  (individuals, community and  national). Provide an analysis of the  impact  (good or bad) and  come to a conclusion on whether do the impact  justify the presence of nature in [insert your country].

Consider also the counter-arguments by explaining  that  there are  other  areas  that  are  equally,  or more important than nature without any attempt to compare against the functions  of nature.