In some countries children have very strict rules of behavior, in other countries they are allowed to do almost anything they want. To what extent should children have to follow rules?

While western countries tend to grant children greater freedom of actions, their Asian counterpart often establish strict boundaries within which their offspring are allowed to act. Though rules are critical to some extent, their overuse may engender adverse consequences on their children’s development as well as society.

On one side, some rules are designed for children’s and society’s benefits. Indeed, children may be unaware of the dangers of talking to strangers or playing with matches. On the other hand, completing their secondary education will build a brighter future for them while grooming the next generation of capable workers for the country. Rules further instil a sense of responsibility into younger individuals, hence, ensuring that they grow into law-abiding citizens.

However, some regulations make little sense. For example, in India, the caste system not only perpetuates inequality within society, but also impedes the potential of youngsters and holds back the economic development of the country. Other rules are completely useless at a certain stage of someone’s life as he/ she seeks his/her own independence. Indeed, urging adolescents not to smoke only serve to spur their curiosity into doing so.

Moreover, excessive rules may stifle people’s creativity and produce employees unable to think independently. Critical thinking is further paramount in guaranteeing that laws and regulations are up-to-date. Citizens who blindly follow redundant rules may bring the social and economic progress of their country to a crawl in the long-run.

To conclude, strict rules of behaviour establish a clear path for children to follow. But adults should employ their own judgements to ensure that laws are not abused to the point of endangering children’s imagination and development.