The job of raising children is a tough one. Children don＇t come with an instruction manual. And each child is different. So parents sometimes pull their hair out in frustration1, not knowing what to do. But in raising children-as in all of life-what we do is influenced by our culture. Naturally then, American parents teach their children basic American values.
养育孩子是件伤脑筋的差事，孩子们并非生下来就附有说明书的，而每一个孩子又都不尽相同，所以有时爸爸妈妈们真是挫折地扯光了头发，还不知该怎幺办。然而以教养孩子而言，就像日常所有些事一样，大家的行为都受文化的影响，因此，美国爸爸妈妈非常自然地会教会他们的孩子基本的美国价值观。
To Americans, the goal of parents is to help children stand on their own two feet. From infancy2, each child may get his or her own room. As children grow, they gain more freedom to make their own choices. Teenagers choose their own forms of entertainment, as well as the friends to share them with. When they reach young adulthood3, they choose their own careers and marriage partners. Of course, many young adults still seek their parents＇ advice and approval for the choices they make. But once they leave the nest at around 18 to 21 years old, they want to be on their own, not tied to their mother＇s apron4 strings5.
对美国人而言，教养的目的在于帮助孩子们自立更生。从幼儿期开始，每个孩子都可能拥有我们的房间；伴随孩子的成长，他们有更多机会自己作决定；青少年们选择自己喜欢的娱乐方法，与跟什幺样的朋友一块玩；当他们进入了年轻人期之后，他们选择我们的事业和结婚伴侣。当然，不少的青年在作选择时，还是会寻求爸爸妈妈的忠告和同意，但当他们一旦在十八到二十一岁左右「离了巢」之后，就期望可以独立，不再是个不能离开母亲的孩子了。
The relationship between parents and children in America is very informal. American parents try to treat their children as inpiduals-not as extensions of themselves. They allow them to fulfill6 their own dreams. Americans praise and encourage their children to give them the confidence to succeed. When children become adults, their relationship with their parents becomes more like a friendship among equals. But contrary to popular belief, most adult Americans don＇t make their parents pay for room and board when they come to visit. Even as adults, they respect and honor their parents.
在美国，亲子之间的关系不是那样地严肃，美国爸爸妈妈们试着将孩子视为个体，而不是他们自我的延伸，他们允许孩子去达成我们的梦想。美国人会赞美并鼓励孩子以给予他们成功的信心。当孩子长大成人之后，亲子之间的关系会更像地位平等的朋友，可是与大伙一向所以为的恰好相反，当爸爸妈妈来访时，大多数的美国成年人并不会需要爸爸妈妈付食宿费，由于即使已经成年，他们还是非常敬重爸爸妈妈的。
Most young couples with children struggle with the issue of childcare. Mothers have traditionally stayed home with their children. In recent years, though, a growing trend is to put preschoolers in a day care center so Mom can work. Many Americans have strong feelings about which type of arrangement is best. Some argue that attending a day care center can be a positive experience for children. Others insist that mothers are the best caregivers for children. A number of women are now leaving the work force to become full-time7 homemakers.
大部份有孩子的年轻夫妻们都为了养育孩子的问题而大伤脑筋。传统上，妈妈们会和孩子待在家，但近几年来，把孩子放在婴幼儿园好让母亲去工作的趋势渐长。对于哪一种安排才是最好的，很多美国人都有自己强烈的倡导，有的人觉得进婴幼儿园对孩子而言是非常正向的历程，另一群人则坚持妈妈是照顾孩子的最好人选，很多的妇女目前也离开工作市场成为全职的家庭主妇。母来访时，大部份的美国成年人并不会需要爸爸妈妈付食宿费，由于即使已经成年，他们还是非常敬重爸爸妈妈的。
Disciplining children is another area that American parents have differing opinions about. Many parents feel that an old-fashioned spanking8 helps youngsters learn what No! means. Others prefer alternate forms of discipline. For example, time outs have become popular in recent years. Children in time out have to sit in a corner or by a wall. They can get up only when they are ready to act nicely. Older children and teenagers who break the rules may be grounded, or not allowed to go out with friends. Some of their privileges at home-like TV or telephone use-may also be taken away for a while. Although discipline isn＇t fun for parents or children, it＇s a necessary part of training.
训诫孩子是另一项引起美国爸爸妈妈们争议的议题。很多爸爸妈妈感觉老式的责打可以帮助年幼的孩子了解：爸爸妈妈说「不」就绝对禁止去做，然而某些人则较同意其它形式的训诫方法。比如：「隔离法」即是近年来颇被同意的方法，被隔离的孩子需要坐在墙角或是墙边，除非他们肯乖一点才能起来；年龄稍大的孩子或是青少年如果是违反规定，则可能遭到被迫停止某项权益或是不准和朋友出去的处罚，而他们在家里的某些特权，像是看电视或是打电话，也会被取消一段时间。虽然处罚对于亲子双方都不是什么有趣的事，但它仍是训诫孩子时必要的一部份。
Being a parent is a tall order. It takes patience, love, wisdom, courage and a good sense of humor to raise children . Some people are just deciding not to have children at all, since they＇re not sure it＇s worth it. But raising children means training the next generation and preserving our culture. What could be worth more than that?
担任亲职是需要付出很大代价的，教养孩子需要付出耐心、爱心、智能、勇气与高度的幽默感（同时不失去你明智的判断力）。有的人根本就决定不生小孩，由于他们不确定如此的付出值不值得，但养育孩子意味着练习下一代并且保留大家的文化，又有哪些会比这更有价值呢？
