32、Do parents owe their children anything? Yes, they owe them a great deal.

One of their chief duties is to give their children a sense of personal worth(價值觀). The self-respect is the basis of good mental(心理) health. A teenager, who is often made to feel stupid and unworthy, compared to brighter brothers, sisters, or cousins, will not be so sure and will be so afraid of failing that he or she won' t try at all. Of course, they should be corrected when they do wrong. This is the way children learn. But the criticisms (批評) should be balanced with praises with a smile and a kiss. No child is ever too old to be cuddled(擁抱)

Parents owe their children firm guidance(指導). It is frightening for a teenager to feel that he is in charge of himself (自理);  it's like being in a car that can’t be stopped.

Parents owe their children privacy (隱私)and respect for their personal belongings. This means not taking things without permission, not reading diaries and mail, not looking through purses, pockets, and drawers.

If a mother feels that she must read her daughter's diary to know what is going on, the communication between them must be quite bad.

Parents owe their children a set of solid values (道德準則) around which to build their lives. This means teaching them to respect the rights and opinions of others; it means being respectful to elders, to teachers, and to the law. The best way to teach such values is by example. A child, who is lied to, will lie. A child who sees his parents steal tools from the factory or towels from a hotel will think that it is all right to steal. A teenager who sees no laughter and no love in the home will have difficulty laughing and loving.

No child asks to be born. If you bring a life into the world, you owe the child something.

1. According to the passage, if a child is made to feel stupid and unworthy constantly, he may _______.

A. be afraid to try to do anything     B. be glad and become more brave when growing up 

C. be respectful to others           D. be in charge of himself

2. Which of the following is RIGHT?

A. Parents can read their children’s diary without their permission.

B. Children can’t be criticized at all by their parents

C. Children need not only body health but also mental health.

D. It is right that their parents do not respect children.

3. Which is the best way to let the children know the value of life?

A. To set a good example for the children to follow.

B. To talk more with the children.

C. To correct the children's mistakes in time.

D. To teach the children to respect others' rights.

4. According to the passage, if a child has made a mistake, the parents should ____.

A. not mention the mistake at all

B. punish the child strictly

C. praise the child for having not made more serious mistakes

D. criticize the child but in a mild way

5. What could be the best title for the passage?

A. Parents and Their Children

B. How to Get on Well with Your Children

C. Respect Children's Privacy

D. What Parents Owe Their Children