The job of raising children is a tough one. Children don’t come with an inst

The job of raising children is a tough one. Children don’t come with an instruction(l)manual. And each child is different. So parents sometimes pull their hair out in(2)frustration, not knowing what to do. But in raising children—as in all of life —-what we do is(3)influenced by our culture. Naturally then, American parents teach their children(4)basic American values.
    To Americans, the goal of parents is to help children stand on their own two(5)feet. From the early years of their life, each child may get his or her own room. As children grow, they(6)gain more freedom to make their own choices.
    Teenagers choose their own forms of entertainment, as well as the friends to(8)share them with. When they reach adult age, they choose their own careers and marriage partners.(9)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."
    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,(11)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.