I’m currently reading Indra Nooyi’s book My Life in Full, and although I’m not even halfway through it, I already feel incredibly inspired. As I come across interesting insights, I’ll share them before writing my final review.

While reading about her school and college days, it struck me that she was a debater in school. This made me wonder—do today’s young students know how valuable debate can be?

I asked my daughter, who is in Grade 5, and she said she knows what a debate is but has never participated in one. I haven’t heard much about debates from other kids either. Are debates still happening in schools?

How can debate benefit a child?

First, let’s define what a debate is. It’s a discussion where people—either in favor or against a topic—present their arguments. This is my definition, not a dictionary one.

Now, back to the question: How can debate help a child (or anyone)?

1. Awareness: To participate in a debate, a person must be well-informed about the topic. This requires being well-read. The source can be anything—newspapers, TV, radio, or the internet—but the source must be credible. Reading the newspaper or listening to the news is a great habit and helps build awareness.

2. Interpretation Skills and Character Building: Once you’re informed about a topic, you need strong interpretation skills and the ability to form an opinion based on logical reasoning. Your stance should be backed up by facts, not by someone else’s influence. For instance, I should not believe that a certain political party in my country is good or bad simply because my father or best friend thinks so. I should have my own reasons for supporting or opposing a political party.

3. Quick and Logical Thinking: In some cases, the debate topic is announced in advance, but sometimes it’s given on the spot. If you're familiar with the topic, you can quickly gather your points. However, if you're not familiar with the topic, you need to stay calm, listen to others, and form your opinion after hearing both sides. This requires quick thinking.

4. Formal Etiquette: There’s a big difference between a debate and an argument. In an argument, people often ignore facts and use emotions to prove their point. Debates, however, focus on facts and logical reasoning. There’s also a need for decorum—while you can be assertive, you shouldn’t be aggressive. You should give others a chance to speak and avoid talking over them. Respect is key.

5. Open Mindset: Finally, it’s important to approach a debate with an open mind. You may initially be in favor of one side but could be convinced to change your stance by someone else’s argument. The goal isn’t to determine which side is right or wrong but to gain a full, 360-degree view of the topic.

Even if your child hasn’t been exposed to debate yet, we, as parents, can encourage this practice at home. While it may not be as formal as a debate contest, encouraging children to engage in debates—rather than arguments—will help them develop stronger, more confident, and well-informed personalities. It will also foster a more respectful environment at home, benefiting everyone in the family.

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Featured Photo by Antenna on Unsplash

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