The Value of Family, Essay Example

Like every living species, we are also born into this world weak and in need of guidance. We need even more guidance because being the most intelligent species on earth, we have created equally complex cultures and societies. Average family size has been growing smaller, at least in developed countries, due to the perceived economic benefits of low population (Connexions). But the importance of a loving and caring family may only grow over time due to increasingly faster pace of life as a result of globalization. Our families play a major role in shaping our personalities and what we ultimately achieve in life.

Our families are our first source of learning even before we start formal academic career. They show endless patience to answer our questions so that we can learn the difference between right and wrong and build an inquisitive mind that serves us throughout our lives. They translate their entire life experiences into simplest sentences that our still developing minds are capable of understanding. I have recently lost my grandfather and whenever I think of him, I think of a person who was not only my connection to the past through his endless stories but also my key to the future because he understood where the world was going and would guide me to prepare for the future. Similarly, my parents have always been involved in all important milestones despite their own busy lives because they believe in setting personal examples. Even research shows that family characteristics have huge influence on child development. Children who enjoy healthy interaction with parents are also more likely to enjoy a successful start to their academic career. Similarly, parents can also positively influence a child’s self-esteem and children who feel safe at home are more willing to try new activities and take risks (Ray). My family may be the reason I have always believed in myself because my parents have always told me to never doubt my own potential.

Time passes at the same pace no matter what the conditions are and our families are like time in the sense that they love us the same way irrespective of whether we are going through good or bad times. They trust our strength when the whole world doubts us and expect the least from us when we have the world in our hands. They personify what it means to be truly selfless and sincere to someone. As emotional beings, we suffer stress and depression also and one cannot be more fortunate to have a supportive family when he/she has the least passion for life. Even research indicates that close family relationships can help us live longer and healthier because they provide several emotional benefits. The researchers found that having close personal relationships increases the probability of surviving a certain period of time in life by 50 percent (Dotinga). This shows that our success in life is not only determined by our personal capabilities but also by our relationships.

I may be tempted to claim major credit for staying out of trouble and not engaging in illicit activities such as drugs but doing so would be oversimplification of the reality that I have been more fortunate than many children who didn’t have stable childhood or any one to guide them. Like every parent, my parents would also engage in arguments but they never let those differences break the family because they cared about their children. They knew that their actions would not only impact them but also their children. They have always put their children’s interests over their own interests and in doing so, has set personal example for me as to how families should be raised. Their sacrifices have not only benefitted me but will also benefit my children one day by motivating me to adopt the same selfless attitude as a parent. The research proves that traumatic childhood experiences including parental separation and divorce reliably predict the illicit drug use from early adolescence into adulthood (Sim). Thus, my staying out of trouble had as much as to do with a loving family as it had to do with a responsible lifestyle on my part.

I am proud of my social skills because people often tell me I am a good listener and I don’t judge them which make them feel comfortable in sharing opinions and problems with me. As I think about my social skills, I can trace its beginning to a single advice from my father that one should never judge others and respect everyone’s individuality no matter how different they may be. My father has always taught me that everyone has self-esteem and we should never say or do something that may hurt one’s self-respect. He also says that people are different and go through different experiences which may be why we cannot always understand their real problems but we can always show our respect towards them to make them feel valued. If this single advice has changed my life so much for the better, I wonder how I might have turned out if I didn’t have a loving and caring family. This is also why I don’t judge other people because I realize my good fortune in having enjoyed a loving family environment. Studies also demonstrate that father’s involvement in the child’s upbringing usually has positive relationship with child’s social and language skills (Evans and Fogarty) and my father passed me the best secret to good social skills which is to respect everyone and judge none.

I have led a responsible life by taking my academic responsibilities seriously, staying away from illicit activities, and being an exemplary citizen because I had a caring family that was always there to support me and guide me through the complexities of life. They continued to believe in me even when I had moments of self-doubt and always celebrated my accomplishments. They always gave me what I asked for and never expected anything in return. I realize my good fortune in having a loving family and am motivated to provide the same loving and supportive environment to my children that my parents have provided to me.

References

Connexions. Population Growth. 27 November 2012 <http://cnx.org/content/m16720/latest/>.

Dotinga, Randy. Close friend, family relationships boost survival. 3 August 2010. 27 November 2012 <http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/health/2010-07-30-friends-wellbeing_N.htm>.

Evans, Garret D. and Kate Fogarty. The Hidden Benefits of Being an Involved Father. 27 November 2012 <http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/he137>.

Ray, Linda. What Is the Family Impact on Early Childhood Development? 14 June 2011. 27 November 2012 <http://www.livestrong.com/article/267910-what-is-the-family-impact-on-early-childhood-development/>.

Sim, Christina. Why Families Matter. September/October 2007. 27 November 2012 <http://www.ncfpc.org/FNC/0709S2.html>.