English Original
My mother was a vocal supporter of corporal punishment, but for all her talking, she never spanked my siblings, and me only once. Instead, she found ways of punishment that left a more lasting memory than the short sting of a swat. One of the most memorable occasions occurred when I was four.
In the early 70s, I was in daycare. One day, I watched a tired mother try to pick up her daughter, Susie. Susie wanted to go to McDonald's. When her mother said no, Susie threw a tantrum—kicking and screaming on the floor. No pleading or scolding worked. Finally, her mother gave in. To say I was amazed would be inaccurate; I was delighted, thinking I could get anything by throwing a tantrum.
Later that day, my mother picked me up early to go to Sears & Roebuck. Walking through the toy section, I saw a red and white pull-along telephone I desperately wanted. I asked for it. My mother said, "Not now, but if you're good, maybe Santa will bring it." I insisted, "I want it now!" Her eyes narrowed, and her hand tightened on mine. "You can't have it today, but if you misbehave, you can have a spanking."
We were standing in a long holiday line. I decided it was now or never. I lay on the ground and began screaming, "I want that telephone!" over and over. Weary shoppers looked on as my mother calmly counted, "One… Two… Three." I didn't move, still in full tantrum.
Then, she lay down beside me on the floor and began kicking and screaming, "I want a new car! I want a new house! I want some jewelry! I want…" Shocked, I stood up immediately. "Mama, stop! Mama, get up!" I tearfully pleaded.
She stood and brushed herself off. At first stunned, the others in line began to sporadically clap. Soon, they were cheering, laughing, and patting my mother on the back. She blushed and took a little bow. The next thirty minutes were pure misery for me, as various parents shook their heads at me and said with a smile, "Your mom got you good. I bet you'll never try that again."
And I didn't. Because it left a lasting mental picture far more effective than any physical mark.
中文翻译
我的母亲是体罚的直言不讳的支持者，但尽管她说得多，她却从未打过我的兄弟姐妹，也只打过我一次。相反，她找到了比打屁股短暂的刺痛更能留下持久记忆的惩罚方式。其中最难忘的一次发生在我四岁的时候。
70年代初，我在日托中心。有一天，我看到一位疲惫的母亲试图接走她的女儿苏西。苏西想去麦当劳。当她的母亲拒绝时，苏西发脾气了——躺在地上又踢又叫。任何恳求或责骂都不起作用。最后，她的母亲让步了。说我感到惊讶是不准确的；我很高兴，以为只要发脾气就能得到任何东西。
那天晚些时候，母亲提前接我去西尔斯百货公司。穿过玩具区时，我看到一个我非常想要的、红白相间的拉绳电话。我向她要。母亲说：“现在不行，但如果你表现好，也许圣诞老人会带给你。”我坚持说：“我现在就要！”她的眼睛眯了起来，握着我的手收紧了。“你今天不能要，但如果你不听话，你可能会挨一顿打屁股。”
我们正排在一个长长的假日队伍里。我觉得机不可失。我躺在地上，开始一遍又一遍地尖叫：“我要那个电话！”疲惫的购物者们看着，母亲平静地数着：“一……二……三。”我没动，仍然在大发脾气。
接着，她也躺在我旁边的地板上，开始又踢又叫：“我要一辆新车！我要一栋新房子！我要一些珠宝！我要……”我震惊了，立刻站了起来。“妈妈，别这样！妈妈，快起来！”我含泪恳求道。
她站起来，掸了掸身上的灰。起初目瞪口呆的排队者们开始零星地鼓掌。很快，他们欢呼、大笑，并拍着母亲的背。她脸红了，微微鞠了一躬。接下来的三十分钟对我来说纯粹是煎熬，因为离开的家长们纷纷对我摇头，并微笑着说：“你妈妈治住你了。我打赌你再也不会这么做了。”
我确实再也没有。因为这留下了一个比任何身体印记都有效得多的持久心理画面。