It is better for children to grow up in the countryside than in a big city. Do you agree or disagree? Use specific reasons and examples to develop your essay.

TOEFL Writing Sample: It is better for children to grow up in the countryside than in a big city. Do you agree or disagree? Use specific reasons and examples to develop your essay.

Student Author: Sherry

Living in the countryside or a big city has both its virtues and defects. Compared with adults, it is easier for children to be affected by the environment. Choosing the environment is essential for them. However, there is a debate about whether growing up in the countryside or a big city is better for children. In my view, growing up in these two environments has different benefits.

On the one hand, children growing up in the countryside can get closer to nature since the industry and the economy are comparatively not very advanced, while the suburban environment is better than in a big city. Furthermore, breathing fresh air and playing in nature frequently are both advantageous for children’s physical and mental health. In addition, the environment in the community is purer in the countryside. Children can enjoy harmonious relationships with other people, which is helpful for their mental development.

On the other hand, growing up in a big city can broaden children’s horizons. Teachers with higher ability and more abundant educational experience are more common in big cities; thus children would enjoy a higher quality of education. Moreover, growing in big cities paves the way for children to adapt fast-paced modern lives. However, they need to withstand heavier living pressure at the same time. Additionally, the possibility that children could get poor eyesight might become higher due to over-use of electronic devices.

In conclusion, growing up in the countryside and big cities would have different but positive influences on children. To me, these benefits play the same critical roles in terms of children’s growth. In this situation, I do not agree with the statement that it is a better choice for children to grow up in the countryside.