Topics for Debate

Here are 20 topics to discuss with a friend or group. Practise agreeing and disagreeing even if
you have to argue against something you actually believe in. One way to have fun with this is to
make up a bunch of cards that say agree or disagree. Each person has to pick up a card and then
the topic is read out. It is more fun to have a debate this way because you don't have to play your
true self. Try to continue each discussion for at least five minutes. Use the expressions that you
learned, including agreeing, disagreeing, asking for opinions, interrupting, etc.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

Swimming in the ocean is better than swimming in a public pool.

Alcohol should be illegal.

Children should provide room and board for their aging parents.

Studying grammar is more important than practising conversation skills.

Television is the leading cause of violence in today's society.

Dogs make better companions than cats.

Smoking should be permitted in public places.

Females are better students than males.

A parent shouldn't pierce a baby's ears.

Women should be allowed to go topless in public.

Lawyers should make a higher salary than nurses.

Everyone should plan their own funeral.

Reading English is more difficult than writing English.

Summer is the best season of the year.

Children under 13 should not be allowed to babysit.

High school students should wear uniforms.

21 should be the legal driving age around the world.

Rock and Roll is the best kind of music.

The government should pay for post secondary education.

1. Should people be able to have multiple relationships at the same time?

2. Are social networking sites dangerous for peoples privacy?
3. Does social networking have too much of an influence on society?
4. How efficient is torture at interrogating suspects?
5. Is torture successful if it protects national security?
6. Every child should have his or her own phone.
7. Peer pressure is a good idea because it promotes inclusion.
8. Violent video games help toughen people up to face the worlds horrors.
9. The death penalty is the only way to deal with some criminals.
10. Corporal punishment is inhumane and degrading treatment.
11. Pornography does nothing except objectify women.
12. Smoking is a great social tool.
13. Cigarettes are dangerous and should be made illegal.
14. The US should end its restrictions against Cuba.
15. Homework doesnt help students learn or retain information.
16. Eating meat is unethical and unhealthy.
17. Driving a car is something everyone should be taught whilst in school.
18. Celebrities should be forced to clean up their public images.
19. Credit cards are a danger to society.
20. Getting into debt is never acceptable.
21. Zoos are essentially just prisons for animals.
22. Fast food should have further regulations to improve their ingredients.
23. Junk food is the Western worlds biggest health threat.
24. Excessive alcohol consumption is a valid method of entertainment.
25. Art has no place in state schools.
26. The government should create dedicated music and art schools.
27. Children should be treated like adults when they commit a crime.
28. Human cloning can eliminate many genetic disorders.
29. Nuclear power is the biggest danger to our society.
30. Nuclear energy is more dangerous than oil and coal.
31. Toy weapons are dangerous to a childs mental well-being.
32. Security cameras dont reduce crime rates.
33. We should implement security cameras within peoples homes.
34. Should we raise the minimum wage level?
35. Do companies have a right to market their goods to children?
36. Are relationships with huge age differences acceptable?
37. Should compulsory education be abolished?
38. Companies shouldnt be limited in the ways they can advertise their goods and

services.
39. Curfews dont work to stop children from getting into trouble.
40. Physical punishment helps instill respect in children and teens.
41. Libraries should have their inventories regulated by local government.
42. Public humiliation encourages people to do better and excel.
43. The Caste System is the best way to separate society.
44. Celebrities have no benefit for our society.
45. Schools should conduct drug tests on its students.
46. Is love important when it comes to marriage?
47. Men should always keep the house in the event of a divorce.
48. Elections never change anything.
49. Do rich people need to make a bigger financial contribution to society?
50. Overpopulation isnt a problem.
51. Gender quotas should be enacted for all major companies.
52. Journalists should stick to just informing their readers of the news.
53. Humans have become more selfish than ever.
54. Poor people dont benefit from welfare.
55. Should it be a criminal offense to have a child if you cant afford it?
56. Cycling is the optimal way of getting around.
57. Public transport is inefficient and needs a massive overhaul.
58. Is public transport too expensive?
59. Should colleges do more to help students get into their chosen careers?
60. Do colleges need to take more responsibility for student failure?