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 frustration, 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.
養育孩子是件傷腦筋的差事，孩子們並不是生下來就附有說明書的，而每個孩子又都不盡相同，所以有時候父母們真是挫折地扯光了頭髮，還不知該怎么辦。然而以教養孩子而言，就像生活中所有的事一樣，我們的行為都受文化的影響，因此，美國父母很自然地會教導他們的孩子基本的美國價值觀。
To Americans, the goal of parents is to help children stand on their own two feet. From infancy, 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 adulthood, 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 apron strings.”
對美國人而言，教養的目標在於幫助孩子們自立更生。從嬰幼兒期開始，每一個孩子都可能擁有自己的房間；隨著孩子的成長，他們有更多機會自己作決定；青少年們選擇自己喜歡的娛樂方式，以及跟什么樣的朋友一起玩；當他們進入了青年期之後，他們選擇自己的事業和結婚伴侶。當然，很多的年輕人在作選擇時，還是會尋求父母的忠告和贊同，但是當他們一旦在十八到二十一歲左右「離了巢」之後，就希望能夠獨立，不再是個離不開媽媽的孩子了。
The relationship between parents and children in America is very informal. American parents try to treat their children as individuals-not as extensions of themselves. They allow them to fulfill 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.
在美國，親子之間的關係不是那麼地嚴肅，美國父母們試著將孩子視為個體，而不是他們自我的延伸，他們允許孩子去實現自己的夢想。美國人會讚美並鼓勵孩子以給予他們成功的信心。當孩子長大成人之後，親子之間的關係會更像地位平等的朋友，可是與大家一向所以為的恰好相反，當父母來訪時，大部份的美國成年人並不會要求父母付食宿費，因為就算已經成年，他們還是很敬重父母的。
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-time homemakers.
大部份有孩子的年輕夫妻們都為了養育孩子的問題而大傷腦筋。傳統上，母親們會和孩子待在家裡，但是近幾年來，把孩子放在幼兒園好讓媽媽去工作的趨勢漸長。對於哪一種安排才是最好的，許多美國人都有自己強烈的主張，有些人認為進幼兒園對孩子而言是很正向的經歷，另一群人則堅持母親是照顧孩子的最佳人選，許多的婦女現在也離開工作市場成為全職的家庭主婦。母來訪時，大部份的美國成年人並不會要求父母付食宿費，因為就算已經成年，他們還是很敬重父母的。
Disciplining children is another area that American parents have differing opinions about. Many parents feel that an old-fashioned spanking 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.
訓誡孩子是另一項引起美國父母們爭議的議題。許多父母覺得老式的責打能夠幫助年幼的孩子明白：父母說「不」就絕對禁止去做，然而某些人則較贊同其它形式的訓誡方式。例如：「隔離法」即是近年來頗被接受的方式，被隔離的孩子必須坐在牆角或是牆邊，除非他們肯乖一點才可以起來；年紀稍大的孩子或是青少年若是違反規定，則可能受到被迫停止某項權益或是不準和朋友出去的處罰，而他們在家中的某些特權，像是看電視或是打電話，也會被取消一段時間。雖然處罰對於親子雙方都不是什麼有趣的事，但是它仍是訓誡孩子時必要的一部份。
Being a parent is a tall order. It takes patience, love, wisdom, courage and a good sense of humor to raise children （and not lose your sanity）。 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?
擔任親職是必須付出極大代價的，教養孩子需要付出耐心、愛心、智能、勇氣以及高度的幽默感（同時不失去你明智的判斷力）。有些人根本就決定不生孩子，因為他們不確定這樣的付出值不值得，但是養育孩子意味著訓練下一代並且保留我們的文化，又有什麼會比這更有價值呢？
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