1. Reference Essay #4
Society is advancing, becoming more civilized and progressive. However, several negative phenomena still persist. One of the most concerning is the growing number of young people adopting a dependent, reliant lifestyle. This has truly become a social issue in today's world.
The lifestyle of dependence can be understood as a way of living that relies on others, lacking personal responsibility or independence. For example, some students have the habit of not doing their homework and instead waiting for others to do it, only to copy from their classmates, or they expect their parents to organize their school supplies for them. Some even expect their parents to serve meals, and they simply sit down at the table without ever helping out. This dependency and reliance among youth is causing severe consequences, both for the individuals involved and for the community at large. For the individual, this bad habit leads to growing dependency on others, an inability to stand firm on one’s own beliefs, and a lack of self-confidence. Moreover, it can negatively impact parents who may begin to lose trust in their child’s ability to handle responsibilities. For schools, such students negatively affect their own academic performance and, by extension, the reputation of their class and school. More alarmingly, when these students enter society, they risk becoming burdens to it, easily falling into vices such as addiction, crime, and gambling.
The reasons behind this dependent lifestyle are both personal and societal. On one hand, some students are simply too lazy, relying on others and lacking a strong sense of self. On the other hand, their upbringing plays a role; being overly pampered and not being taught responsibility by their parents can cause them to lack independence. To tackle the issue, both schools and families must work together to cultivate independence. Incorporating lessons that teach the negative impacts of this behavior into the curriculum will help students become more self-sufficient.
As young people, we must realize how detrimental this lifestyle can be. We should strive for self-improvement and gain the skills to handle life’s challenges without relying on others. This will not only benefit us but also our families and society.
The issue of youth dependency is indeed a significant problem in modern society. To build a progressive, civilized society, it is essential for every individual, family, and the entire community to contribute to eradicating this reliance and dependence.

2. Reference Essay #5
Every individual has the freedom to choose their way of life. Some people work hard and strive for a better future, while others live recklessly, depending on others.
Dependency refers to the act of not working or contributing, but rather relying on others to provide for one's needs and desires. This lifestyle is distorted and negative, especially among youth, and should be eradicated from society to help improve the world.
A person who lives a dependent life avoids labor and responsibility, focusing instead on leisure and personal indulgence. They often beg for money, using others' resources to fund their lifestyle and pleasures without any hesitation or remorse. Furthermore, these individuals lack a clear plan or goals for their lives and continuously depend on others. The primary harm of living in dependency is that it creates a reliance on others, preventing one from taking control of their own life. Prolonged dependency can lead to various negative traits, such as theft or fraud, when one’s needs are not met. Dependent individuals are often scorned by others, never trusted, and rarely given responsibilities, eventually leading to their exclusion from society.
However, there are many individuals who live with ideals, strong will, and goals, striving to achieve those dreams. There are also those who are independent, having set clear goals for their lives and working hard to achieve them. These individuals deserve recognition, admiration, and emulation.
Each person only lives once, so we should strive to be useful citizens and build a life that we can look back on with pride, while removing the dependency lifestyle from society.

3. Reference Essay #6
Society is continuously progressing and improving. However, there are still negative phenomena that capture the public's attention, one of which is the issue of dependency.
Dependency refers to individuals who are unwilling to work and instead rely on others’ achievements and efforts to sustain their own lives. This is a negative lifestyle that should be eliminated. The act of depending on others creates a stagnant, passive mindset, hindering personal growth. Moreover, by waiting for others to produce the results, people become weak, prone to giving up, and susceptible to failure when faced with challenges. Those who live in dependency lack the experience or foundation to succeed in life and will continue to fail when faced with difficulties. A dependent lifestyle also places an unnecessary burden on others, forcing them to take on additional responsibilities and stress.
Nevertheless, many people live with ideals, determination, and purpose, striving to achieve their goals. There are those who are independent, who have defined their life’s direction early and work hard to achieve their dreams. These individuals deserve recognition and admiration. Young people today must become more proactive in life, not rely on others, and aim to build a better future with dreams and aspirations.
Living off others is easy, but working towards independence requires considerable effort. Let’s create the best possible value for ourselves and society.

4. Reference Essay #7
In today's society, the lifestyle of dependency has become an increasingly important topic of discussion.
"Dependency" refers to a life that relies on others, without self-sufficiency or the willingness to work independently. This lifestyle is demonstrated through a lack of effort or personal growth, relying completely on others for support.
In reality, this is a negative lifestyle that leads to severe consequences. Firstly, dependency creates stagnation and passivity in all areas of life, preventing personal growth. A mindset of relying on others undermines the drive to learn, develop skills, and ultimately diminishes a person’s value. Moreover, waiting for others to succeed on your behalf makes one weak, easily defeated, and vulnerable to failure when facing difficulties. On the other hand, living in dependency makes us a burden to others and hinders societal development.
This lifestyle stems from a mindset of entitlement, a reluctance to put in effort and strive. Therefore, we must establish strong life goals that do not rely on others, while remaining proactive and engaged in all thoughts, actions, and deeds. As students, we must work hard in our studies, take on responsibility, and cultivate a life of independence and self-sufficiency.

5. Reference Essay #8
In life, alongside positive behaviors, there are also noticeable negative attitudes, particularly the habit of dependency.
Indeed, the lifestyle of dependency refers to relying on the labor of others without making any effort of one’s own. This way of living is deeply criticized because it brings numerous negative consequences. Firstly, living in dependency makes one slow, inactive, and lazy. Those who live off others' hard work cannot achieve anything for themselves.
The result is that such a person will forever have a mindset of dependency, living a passive and unproductive life with no personal accomplishments. Secondly, the dependent attitude leads to a foggy, aimless future. A person who has never made their own effort or tried anything will never gain the experience or skills necessary to navigate life. Finally, living off others creates a burden. Whoever is being depended upon will inevitably face added responsibility and pressure.
In conclusion, the attitude of living off others is one that should be condemned, especially in today’s society, particularly among young people.

6. Reference Essay #9
In order to live a better life, each of us must actively work, create material wealth for ourselves, our families, and society. However, it is easy to observe that many people still rely on others and live in dependency.
The lifestyle of dependency refers to those who refuse to work and rely entirely on others' efforts, wanting to enjoy the benefits brought by others without contributing. This is a misguided and negative way of living that young people, in particular, should not imitate but eliminate from society. The consequences of such a lifestyle are far-reaching, first for the individual and then for the family and society. A person who depends on others loses their ability to manage their own life, unable to think independently or work towards a better future.
Moreover, depending on others over time can lead to many negative traits, such as resorting to theft or other harmful actions when one's needs are not met. Living off others harms not only the individual but also leads to social disdain and exclusion. Those who depend on others will eventually be ignored, mistrusted, and gradually phased out of society.
However, there are still many people who live with ideals, ambition, and clear goals, striving to achieve them. There are also those who are self-reliant, with a clear vision for their future and work hard to achieve their dreams. These individuals deserve to be praised and serve as examples for others.
Each person has the same amount of time to live, contribute, and create valuable achievements. Therefore, we should not rely on anyone but strive to build the life we desire for ourselves.

7. Reference Essay #10
Contrary to the saying “Self-reliance,” today’s society sees a growing trend of negative and passive lifestyles known as dependency.
“Dependency” here refers to a way of living that is reliant on others, expecting to benefit from their hard work without contributing anything yourself. This lifestyle is evident in people who refuse to work for their own livelihood, instead relying on others to provide for them. Dependency is often found within families, where people take advantage of familial bonds, expecting others to support them without making any effort to learn or work. Such individuals, who live off others' hard work, will never gain respect or trust from those around them. So, what are the causes behind the spread of this negative lifestyle?
In my view, the cause lies not just in the individuals who live off others but also in the excessive pampering and indulgence from family, particularly parents and grandparents. This lifestyle has negative effects on one’s character development and the prosperity of society, as it fosters a breeding ground for societal issues such as addiction and theft.
Therefore, we must avoid this way of living by recognizing our own value, striving to create our own future, and continuously working towards building our own lives.

8. Reference Essay #11
In life, along with positive behaviors, there are also negative and improper attitudes, one of which is dependency.
Indeed, a dependent lifestyle is one where people rely entirely on the labor and resources of others without exerting any effort of their own. This way of living is highly condemnable as it brings many harmful consequences. First, living in dependency leads to a sluggish, passive, and lazy existence. Those who depend on others will never be able to achieve anything for themselves. As a result, they will live their lives in constant dependency, unable to create any outcomes on their own. Second, this attitude leads to a vague and uncertain future. Those who have never made any effort or tried anything will never have the experience or tools needed to succeed in life. Finally, living off others creates a burden for those around you. Whoever is being relied on will have to take on additional responsibilities and pressure from the dependent individual.
In conclusion, the dependent lifestyle is one that deserves to be criticized in today’s society, especially among young people.

9. Reference Essay #1
Someone once said, "In life, don't borrow someone's breath to live," a short but profound saying that highlights a troubling habit in today's young Vietnamese generation – the tendency to rely on others.
This habit, known as dependency, is prevalent among many young people in Vietnam. Dependency means relying on others for support, lacking independence and self-sufficiency. If you're used to having someone solve your problems, feeling irritated when your loved ones don't micromanage every detail of your life, or enjoy things handed to you, then you're caught in the cycle of dependency. More broadly, dependency is about relying on others, avoiding self-reliance, and shirking responsibility.
A stark contrast between Vietnamese youth and their peers in other countries is that while young adults in other nations are expected to live independently by the age of 18, many Vietnamese youth, even at the age of 23-24, still ask their parents for money. It’s not uncommon to see parents dropping their children off at school and picking them up afterward, even when they are in high school or university. At home, it’s the parents who clean their children's rooms, do the laundry, and even remind them to study, only to hear their children reply, "I'm busy playing, dad."
At school, students simply copy what teachers say, math assignments are just repeated examples, and literature essays lack structure – all the work is monotonous, lacking creativity and critical thinking. These habits represent a small fragment of a larger problem with the future generation of the country. How can a nation progress when its people cannot stand on their own? Dependency breeds lazy, inexperienced, and shy youth, eroding their creativity and enthusiasm.
So, what is the root of this issue? Surprisingly, it stems from love and hope. Parents, out of love, want to protect their children and prevent them from facing challenges. They pamper their children too much, fearing failure and overprotecting them. However, they fail to realize that in doing so, they hinder their children's growth, making them timid and overly reliant on others. As a result, these children will struggle when they face the unpredictable world on their own, like a fern depending on a towering tree. When the tree becomes weak, the fern will also falter.
The educational system also plays a role. In the rush for high grades and achievements, the emphasis on rote learning stifles true intellectual growth. This is one reason why teamwork effectiveness is often low in Vietnam. People rely on each other, and when one person falters, the whole group collapses. But it's not just the parents and teachers at fault – young people too often exploit the care of others to avoid responsibility, showing a lack of initiative and passion.
These habits are holding back the progress of the Vietnamese youth. A vivid example is when a young man, instead of helping his sick mother push the bike, leisurely sits on it while his mother does all the work. This not only leads to ridicule from others but also reflects a dependency mindset – "clinging to mom's skirt." At that age, one should be helping, not shirking responsibility.
Can we still change this? Nothing is impossible, but it requires determination. First and foremost, young people need to take initiative, help their parents, and learn to do things on their own. Break away from the mold of dependency and build a self-reliant life, standing strong in the world. Parents should loosen their grip and let their children spread their wings, allowing them to face challenges, learn from mistakes, and gain life skills. The education system should encourage students to be curious, seek knowledge independently, and ignite passion for learning. The motto should be: If you don’t ask for help, no one will give it to you. In other words, when they need it, we can provide a helping hand so they can learn to fish on their own.
Changing educational methods is the best way to eradicate the dependency culture before it takes root among the youth. This effort requires the collective support of society to secure a bright future for the country.
In conclusion, the habit of relying on family and teachers is a serious issue that needs to be addressed in Vietnam. Parents should not harm their children out of love. We should not let the pursuit of fake achievements ruin the imagination of the younger generation. And most importantly, we must not allow laziness to ruin the future. To help our nation rise, we all need to contribute to eliminating dependency, preventing parasitic lifestyles, and nurturing strong, independent individuals who will help Vietnam compete with other countries.

10. Sample Reference 2
People are born with nothing, a blank slate. Each of us must strive to improve ourselves and create a better life, leaving a positive mark on the world. However, there is a concerning issue today: some people refuse to work and instead depend on others.
Dependency means that a person avoids work, refuses to contribute, and lives off the efforts of others, wanting to enjoy the results of their work without any effort of their own. This is a distorted and negative way of living that especially young people should avoid, as it harms both individuals and society.
Those who have a tendency to avoid work and depend on others are those who care only for leisure, chasing after trivial pleasures and neglecting their responsibilities. They aren’t afraid to ask others for money and use it to fund their own pursuits without hesitation or guilt. These individuals often lack any clear goals or plans for their lives, living off others without considering their own potential or ambitions.
Living in such a dependent way leads to numerous negative consequences. It traps individuals in a cycle of reliance on others, preventing them from taking control of their own lives. Over time, this dependency can foster even worse behaviors: when needs go unmet, it may lead to theft, fraud, and actions that tarnish one’s dignity. Furthermore, those who live off others are often looked down upon by society, gaining little respect or trust, and eventually, they are sidelined.
However, it is important to recognize that there are still many people who live with ambition, purpose, and determination, working hard to achieve their dreams. Some individuals are independent from an early age, setting their own life goals and working diligently to achieve them. These people deserve to be celebrated, admired, and serve as role models.
We only get one life, and we have the power to choose how we live it. Let’s choose to live positively, meaningfully, and create good values for our lives and society.

11. Sample Reference 3
Bill Gates once said, "The habit of relying on others is a barrier to your success. To achieve great things, you must remove these obstacles from your path."
For those who have achieved great success, relying on others means surrendering control over your destiny and completely losing your autonomy in both work and life.
There are people who, whenever they face a problem, immediately think of seeking help from others. Then, there are others who, whether they have an issue or not, prefer to follow others, believing someone else will solve their difficulties. Such individuals are becoming more common and reflect a mindset of dependency.
This dependency is, even more concerning, a prevalent habit among many young people in Vietnam – the very individuals who hold the future in their hands. They tend to rely on others and lack the independence and self-sufficiency required to become strong individuals.
If you observe closely, you’ll notice a huge difference between young people in Vietnam and their counterparts in developed countries. In many developed nations, young people are expected to become independent by the age of 18. They make their own decisions about their lives, whether it’s about attending university, which institution to choose, and what course to pursue. Of course, they also have to figure out how to finance their decisions. In contrast, in Vietnam, parents often make the majority of the decisions for their children, leaving the children with only the task of obeying their parents' wishes. If any issues arise, the parents are expected to take responsibility.
It’s not unusual to see parents drop their children off at school every day, even when the children are in high school or university. At home, mothers still handle tasks like cooking, washing, and cleaning. Even in the workplace, employees often rely on their bosses, doing whatever they’re told without showing any initiative for fear of becoming independent. These individuals carry the burden of dependency and, unwittingly, contribute to a new societal “epidemic”.
As children, our parents do so much for us that we almost never have to act independently. From eating and dressing to waking up on time, everything is taken care of. This directly fosters a mindset of dependency and laziness. Furthermore, when parents provide too many conveniences, we don’t feel the need to strive and can live easily without working hard. Over time, this results in a lack of independence and personal development.
This kind of overprotective love is quite common among Eastern parents, especially in Vietnam. The well-intentioned overprotection from parents harms their children without them realizing it, preventing them from maturing and developing fully. Just think about it – is there any greater loss in life than this?
Some people always wait for financial support from their parents or wealthy relatives, while others expect some mysterious force named “luck” or “fortune” to come and help them. But have you ever met someone who relies on others for financial support or waits for good fortune to succeed in life?
True successful individuals might not know what exactly will happen to them as they begin their journey, but they firmly believe that with hard work, all challenges can be overcome. So, even if no one comes to their aid, they don’t have enough funds, or they aren’t fully prepared, they continue pushing forward to achieve their goals.
A business owner once shared that he planned for his son to work at another company before joining his own, to help him develop resilience and face challenges. He didn’t want his son to start working at his own company, fearing his son would only depend on him. People who always rely on their parents rarely achieve significant success.
In reality, placing children in situations where they can rely on their parents or expect help is extremely dangerous. Our children can’t learn to swim in shallow water, where their feet can touch the bottom. In deeper water, they will learn to swim better and faster. When they no longer have protection, they’ll know how to reach the shore safely.
If parents overindulge their children, shielding them from life’s challenges, they’ll face confusion and fear when they enter the real world. They’re like ferns growing on an old tree. Once the tree weakens, the fern will also struggle to survive.
Sitting in a soft chair makes it easy to fall asleep, just as relying on others makes it easy to lose oneself. Therefore, to avoid becoming a “climbing plant” dependent on external circumstances, everyone must learn to eliminate the mindset of dependence and rely on themselves.

