TEACHING GOOD MANNERS
Today in Britain there is disagreement over how children should be taught to be polite. Should parents force their children to (56) say "please" and "thank you”, for instance? Or are there alternative methods they could use?
Most parents still believe that teaching good manners to their children is essential. However, it does seem ironic that the methods used often include bullying, pleading and threats.
On the other hand, there are some schools which have a completely different attitude. Their philosophy is (57) ____________ on the idea that a small child will copy adults. In other words, adults should set a good example and the children will follow. In addition, adults should be more tolerant. Children should not be expected, for instance, to sit perfectly still (58) ____________ they are waiting for food in a restaurant.
The good manners of Britain today date back to the last century when children were considered to be animals (59) ____________ needed to be trained before they could be accepted into adult society. Yet in countries such as Brazil, children can be seen everywhere with adults and their behaviour is nothing to be ashamed (60) ____________. So, perhaps if children in Britain were allowed to be seen more in public, they would be far better behaved.
