Chen Sirui, Shenzhen Foreign Languages School Instructed by Tang Hong

It is generally supposed that children whose parents provide them with a shelter from risks are disempowered to tackle unpredictable incidents in adulthood. Others argue that vulnerability provides an excellent opportunity for children to respond with and develop agility. Therefore, this essay will explore the benefits and downsides of both approaches.

On the one hand, exposure to risk benefits children in two aspects. For one thing, those who are exposed to danger gradually are able to develop coping strategies. These include identifying the risks in advance, understanding how to respond to these events, and having measures in place to deal with the consequences, all of which manifests the effectiveness of their regular approaches of risk management.

By contrast, the overprotected children are more likely to be overwhelmed by panic and thus unable to come up with a solution when they are confronted with unprecedented threats. For another, children who are encouraged to be risk-takers in their early days are more willing to challenge themselves in later life, leading to increasing chances to find their true passion as well as to fulfill their potential. Hence, to some extent, personal achievement highly depends on how many hazards they have come across and overcome.

Nevertheless, to a certain degree, guarding children from perceived danger may hurt their mental health for the reason of not suffering stressful situations and realizing the cruel realities.

In addition, what we need to emphasize is that exposing children to risks such as criminal activities and drug abuse may lead them to become violent and chronic juvenile offenders. Risks are often viewed as being cumulative, which enhances the likelihood that it will emerge in the child. For example, it is possible that a child born in an alcoholic family may engage in drug abuse.

In conclusion, we can see that there are both pros and cons attached to parents who make huge efforts to safeguard their children. This can undoubtedly bring benefits to children’s mental health. Conversely, children that are exposed to risks are more successful in resisting and overcoming life situations in most cases. As far as I am concerned, children should not be excessively protected as canaries in “cages” built by helicopter parents.