Discussion

1) Why did the father decide to consult a baby manual? How does it characterize him?

2) Did the baby manual help? What advice did he get from the book? What is his opinion on modern ideas and methods in upbringing?

3) Do you agree that baby manuals are written by people who know babies from college textbooks?

4) How did the father punish the baby?

5) What was the mother’s reaction in the situation? Do you think she did the right thing? Why? Why not?

6) How was Robert brought up? Does he approve of his father’s child-rearing style?

7) What would you do if your child misbehaved like Robert’s daughter?

Text 5. HANDS OFF(by Aisha Labi)

Read the article, the letter written by one reader in response to it and an opposite opinion.

Time(November 3, 2003)

In many countries, disciplining your child with force is against the law.

TO SPANK OR NOT TO SPANK? That’s the question every parent of a occasionally recalcitrant child has to decide. There comes a point when gentle admonishment seems a waste of breath, and a stern warning, withheld treat or outright bribe may not even turn the tide. At that point, some parents resort to a soft smack on the backside though childcare experts increasingly frown on the idea. And parents traveling with children should know that laws against corporal punishment may take decision out their hands.

Much of the world - including Asia, the Middle East, The U.S., the U.K., Canada and New Zealand - leaves the spanking issue to parents. But 11 nations - Austria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, Israel, Iceland, Latvia, Norway and Sweden - already have laws prohibiting corporal punishment of children. Sanctions range from fines to possible imprisonment. And if child-welfare activists and the U.N. Committee on the Rights of the Child have their way, then day will soon come when spanking is illegal everywhere. As of this year, care workers in the U.K. are no longer permitted to strike children in their care; the “reasonable chastisement” defense means parents still can. The U.N. has called for all countries to explicitly ban child corporal punishment. The Supreme Court of Canada recently heard a case that could result in a tightening of the law there. Recent debate on the subject in New Zealand has prompted Prime Minister Helen Clarke to call for a ban on even “reasonable chastisement” of kids. In short, parents should think before they strike.

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Text 3. HISTORY: Bringing up baby	\|	Civilization Begins at Home

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