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JacksonFive's
Free Weekly "Learning English" Newsletter
Issue: 31 "Seeing the U.S. by Bicycle... Mostly (p.2)" Oct 22, 2000
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Dear Readers,
This week I would like to touch upon a "touchy issue" (def:
sensitive issue): the issue of corporal punishment (def: physical
punishment of children). Do you think it is right or wrong to use
corporal punishment in our schools and in our homes?
I think it is safe to guess that most people who use corporal
punishment where themselves "disciplined" this way when they were
children. In the past, it was a common way for parents to
discipline their children. In the West, corporal punishment is
now very much discouraged and very often, illegal. Astonishingly,
corporal punishment is still very common in Taiwan. At my school,
I was surprised to hear from many of our young students that they
are commonly physically punished in their elementary school and at
their daycare. I wonder if their parents knew? Did you know?
(515K MP3 recording,
http://www.path2english.com/Reference/MP3-031-01.mp3)
Based on numerous researches, these "teachers and adults" might
want to consider something:
"Children who are physically punished become more violent than
children who aren't?" They quickly learn that violence can be
used to punish others and get what they want. Did you know that
they are also more likely to beat their future spouse and
children? There is more information at this website,
http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/familydevelopment/
components/6961_01.html
(put both lines together in browswer)
My opinion is that corporal punishment should be made illegal in
the education system in Taiwan, even in the daycares. What's
your opinion? Do you think there are some instances where
corporal punishment is right? Do you think corporal punishment
is effective? I hope to hear from you, especially if you
support corporal punishment.
(568K MP3 recording,
http://www.path2english.com/Reference/MP3-031-02.mp3)
Changing the World starts from one person,
JacksonFive
THIS WEEK's FEATURED ARTICLE:
"Seeing the U.S. by Bicycle... Mostly (part 2)" by Linda
ARTICLE:
For those of you who didn't read Part One of this article, we were
talking about my having quit a job and, instead of looking for a new
one, my having signed up for a 3,200-mile bicycle ride across the
United States.
The first day started with a dinner at a hotel in California's Disney
Land. Forty-nine other people were there, all eating spaghetti and
talking about how they had prepared for what was to be an "epic ride"
(def: heroic) from one ocean shore to another. Many people had
ridden their bikes for many, many hours, training hard to get ready.
They were fit, in shape, and ready to go. "Oooooh," I said to
myself. Maybe I wasn't so fit and in shape. I hadn't done anything
different from my usual exercise routine, which consisted of swimming
a few times a week, a little bit of jogging, a few bike rides for 3-4
hours on the sunny weekends (of which there weren't many) and maybe
some walking. Knowing there would be a van following along the daily
route, however, I was not too worried. I knew that I could always
"hitch" a ride. That said, I was ready.
The first day was easy enough. All of us were so excited simply
about the event starting that the 50-mile route that day passed almost
too quickly. We got to our first destination, set up camp, and
mentally prepared ourselves for doing this continuously for the next
7 weeks.
Two days later, we were riding through the "stark" (def: empty,
barren) but spectacularly beautiful California desert. I overheated
and had to be carried, literally, to our motel. I had passed out and
could not be awoken for dinner, after-dinner activities, or even to
brush my teeth. In fact, I was unable to get out of my bike clothes
and my bed until the following morning. But amazingly enough, I woke
up as if nothing had happened. That was about the only real problem
I encountered. Sure, there were days when the wind was so strong (in
our faces) that I decided to ride in the van. Or a body part was too
sore to get back on the bike. But by and large (def: overall), I was
able to do most of the rest of the trip.
And I must say it was absolutely worth it. There are so many
attractive and scenic parts of America, probably of any country, that
are "off the beaten path" and thus not visited by the majority of
people. But on a cross-country ride, you get to see them. Then
there were the people. I met warm, wonderful and caring individuals
in just about every small town we passed through and the other riders
were excellent daily company and soon became good friends. I had the
opportunity of sampling just about every kind of regional food
specialty that was available in the different states on our route,
and the changing landscape every single day was so diverse that I
never got bored, not even close. Truly it was one of the most unique
experiences I've ever had in my life.
Would I do it on my own, without the support of a group? Probably
not. But would I do it again? Absolutely.
-- How did you like our friend Linda's two articles about cycling? --
NEXT WEEK's FEATURED ARTICLE:
"Money Worries?"
(If you benefited from this newsletter,
please share it with a friend.)
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