The people whose view places emphasis(重点) on encouraging children to think freely hope the child will be able to understand and govern(管理) the world. The child is considered as an “equal” to the adult. This view has been popular in the western countries, where corporal(身体的) punishment of children is now illegal. The concept(观念) of “rights” for children is part of a wider political(政治上的) movement that also asserts(声称) right for women, animals and environment.
The pro-discipline view is based on the commonsensical(常识) observation(观察) that, if left unchecked(没有管束的),children behave stupidly and even run amok(杀人狂地, 狂乱的). Disciplinarians(严格的人) believe that physical(肉体的) constrains(强迫) and punishments imposed(强加于) by adult teach the child that his selfishness, laziness and running wild will lead him to a bad life. The child then gains wisdom(明智) through lessons. Constraints(约束) and punishments range from a simple withdrawing(离开) of a “ privilege(特权)” such as pocket money, limited time for watching TV, to a remark(谈论) of “beating”. Yet the discipline does not have to be harsh(粗糙的). Sanctions(打破国际制裁的个人) are only applied(实用的) if the child behaves stupidly.
Discipline has many areas of practical(实践的), one of the most important of which is education. The Chinese proverb says, “ the strict teacher can cultivate(培养) an outstanding(杰出的) student.” Some adults have observed(注意到) that strict schools often achieve good academic(大学生, 大学的) accomplishment(成就). Likewise(同样地), people reckon(计算) that disciplined children are likely to become productive persons.
It is obvious to me that an uncontrolled child who does dangerous matters can cause injury(损害) to himself and to others. And many violent teenagers appear to behave no fear of punishment for illegal action. So parents should not give children a free hand, especially when they can’t tell right from wrong. Adults have a serious duty of supervising(监督) the young.
Discipline is justified because adults are generally wiser than children. Discipline in childhood fosters(养育) the child for the hardship of his future life.
