(IELTS ESSAY) Economic growth has helped many become richer, both in developed and developing countries

In recent times, economic growth has helped many become richer, both in developed and developing countries. However, those in developed countries are not as happy as they were in the past.

Why is this?

What can be learned from this?

Answer:

As global wealth increases, there has been a surprising decrease in reported levels of happiness in developed nations. In my opinion, this is due to lifestyle changes and it teaches that money is merely a baseline requirement for happiness.

The main reason individuals in wealthy nations are less happy today relates to how people live. In the past, people had fewer free time options and this led to more time being outside and socializing. Modern lifestyles are predicated around isolation. For example, the average worker or student after a long day is likely to spend at least a few hours watching movies on Netflix, messaging friends, checking social media, and listening to music. These 21st century habits would seemingly elevate happiness levels but they are in fact a passive means of achieving low levels of contentment and pleasure. In the aggregate, this minimum threshold of commitment pales in comparison to more substantial activities.

The lesson from this development is that wealth is only the foundation of happiness. Many would claim that money has no relationship to happiness, however, this is naive since families living in poverty must obsess over simple matters such as shelter and sustenance. Money only serves to guarantee basic necessities and happiness is an active byproduct of action. This can be seen most clearly in nations that score high on happiness surveys such as in Northern Europe and Japan. Individuals in these countries tend to have more focused lives and feel they are part of a community and culture that requires active engagement. These societies prioritise involvement with others and community responsibility and shun the insular hobbies that have led to dissatisfaction in other developed nations.

In conclusion, lower levels of happiness are due to modern ways of living and this illustrates the relative importance of wealth. Happiness itself should not be an aim but rather a result of pursuing worthier life goals.

Traditional ideas from older people about the way to live and behave are not helpful to young people and their futures.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Answer:

Many are of the belief that past traditions now hold little future value for young people. In my opinion, there are still important lessons young people can learn from their cultural heritage.

Supporters of this contention argue that the changing world has make old ways of life irrelevant. This is especially the case as technology has hastened cultural and economic upheaval. In the past, an individual’s grandparents might be able to give worthwhile advice related to how to behave at work and manage their relationships. This is now less true than ever before because of the advent of social media apps, dating websites, remote working and the loss of traditional career paths. The growth of the internet has had a further globalising effect that erodes the uniqueness of cultures. For example, recent women’s empowerment movements have occurred simultaneously globally, often in conflict with the traditional values of individual nations.

Nonetheless, tradition serves as an increasingly important guide in a world with few fixed values. As the world has become more secular, religious values have declined but cultural traditions remain intact. A standout example of this would be the strong familial ties in Asian nations such as Japan, Korea, China, and Vietnam. Children in these nations are expected to listen to the advice of their parents, maintain cultural traditions, and behave within certain ethical bounds. Without these customs to guide their behavior, young people would be at the mercy of the values espoused in popular media. However, by following mores from the past, young people will have a foundation to judge their present and future actions.

In conclusion, despite the decreasing relevance of tradition in the modern world, it still holds an important place as a basis for ethical behavior. Young people must therefore temper their desire to reform with a skeptical reverence for the past.

Q: In recent times, many people are using prescription medications to combat depression and anxiety.

What are the causes of this increasing depression?

What are some solutions?

Answer:

Chemical anti-depressants are becoming much more widely used due to increased rates of depression and anxiety. This essay will explore the reasons why people are becoming more depressed and explore ways to deal with this problem.

There are a number of contributing factors that have led to this increase in depression in the modern world. First and foremost, people are becoming more isolated than they used to be. Humans have, until very recently, always existed in tribes, but as our modern independent society has disbanded these tribes, people are left on their own. Along with this, people’s lifestyles are changing for the worse. These days, people are generally not exposed to nature, sunlight and fresh air because of the increasing concentration of populations in cities. In the absence of these natural anti-depressants, it is no surprise that people are becoming more miserable.

However, there are actions that can be taken by both individuals and society to deal with this problem. At a personal level, people need to pay attention to their psychological needs, not just their physical ones. They should try to maintain a balanced life that does not neglect spending time outdoors or with family and friends. Changes in societal attitudes and approaches are also a necessary step towards decreasing the epidemic of depression. For example, companies and governments should explore shorter working weeks or reduced hours to enable people to be financially able to spend more time taking care of themselves.

In conclusion, while it is clear that the way people live these days is contributing to increased rates of depression, it is also clear that meaningful changes can be made that would ensure this problem is mitigated.

Q: Nowadays, fewer people tend to look after their old relatives and send them to some old age homes. What is the situation in your country? In your opinion, who should be responsible to look after the elderly?

Answer:

In this age of nuclear families where both spouses work, no one has time to take care of aged parents and hence in many countries sending them to old age homes is the norm. Luckily, in my country, India, this trend is yet to catch up and older people continue to live with their children and grandchildren. In my opinion, families that have the financial and other means to look after their elderly relatives should do it themselves and not send their older parents to care homes.

In India, old age homes are still looked down upon and sending senior family members to care homes is not considered morally or culturally appropriate. There are very few old-age homes in my country and those who end up in such places usually are childless or have their children living abroad. In such situations if they are not able to take their parents with them, they may be sent to a care home especially if they need special care. Those seniors who can take care of themselves on their own will continue to live in their home with the assistance of a home nurse or a relative willing to live with them. Really poor families that cannot afford to care for the aged father or mother may send them to a government-run nursing home.

In my opinion, adult children have a responsibility to look after their parents in their twilight years and as such there is no justification for sending them to a care facility in those years when they need their children’s love and support the most. Of course, if the senior needs special care that families cannot provide at home, it is necessary to send them to a care home. Aged couples who do not have children of their own or whose children died early may also have to spend their final years in a care facility. Barring these unfortunate situations, I see no reasons for old people to end up in a senior care home.

To conclude, while in many parts of the world, especially westerns countries, it is normal for old people to spend their final years in a care home, the situation is different in my country where families usually care for their aged relatives at home. In my opinion, adult children who can look after their parents should do it themselves and not shirk the responsibility, as they themselves will one day reach old age and need the same care and compassion.