Abstract

“Growing Pains” shows the typical American family structure and reflects American family education’s characteristics briefly and entirely. Based on an introduction to the background of American family education and the characteristics of “ Growing pains”, this paper analyzes the merits and shortcomings of American family education through many lively examples in the sitcom “Growing Pains”.

Key words: characteristics, “Growing Pains”, American family education，merits，shortcomings

摘 要

《成长的烦恼》是一部典型反映美国家庭教育的情景喜剧，主要介绍西弗一家五口：卡罗，本，麦克，杰森，和麦琪的生活事例。本文从简要的介绍美国家庭教育的背景以及《成长的烦恼》特点入手，并结合《成长的烦恼》中的鲜活生活的例子，从而进一步的剖析美国家庭教育的优点和不足，即美国家庭教育在思想和道德上的优点，美国家庭教育先进的观念，美国家庭教育优秀的方法，以及美国家庭中缺乏交流和孩子过度叛逆的现状。

关键词： 特点;《成长的烦恼》;美国家庭教育;优点;不足

1.introduction
1.1. The definition of family education
Family education is the education that parents give to their children. So parents are children’s first teachers and family education has a great influence on children. Nowadays, Family education has become a social hot issue which is paid close attention to by many people especially many parents, because education for all-around development has been deeply rooted among the people and it is every family’s benefit and need. ( 克劳蒂娅1999).On the one hand, good family education relates to children’s quality and morality. On the other hand, it relates to a country’s future. Many parents have much successful experience and acquire the knowledge of family education actively. The concept of education has changed a lot.
1.2 The background of American family education
In the USA, family education has been another educational form besides school education. We should learn how to develop children’s character and quality from Americans. American society is full of competition. Every person can be independent and makes money with their efforts. Children in America are self-conscious, diligent and economical. They can adapt to the competitive society and become stronger. Parents develop their children’s ability to live independently instead of spoiling them. Americans give their children enough space to develop themselves when they are young, thus making children know how to solve problems when they face difficulty instead of depending on parents.