Boys Quote by Shirley Jackson
““We believed optimistically that Laurie was a reformed character. I told my husband, on the last day of Laurie's confinement, that actually one good scare like that could probably mark a child for life, and my husband pointed out that kids frequently have an instinctive desire to follow the good example rather than the bad, once they find out which is which. We agreed that a good moral background and thorough grounding in the Hardy Boys would always tell in the long run. ("Arch-Criminal")””
About This Quote
Source Short story: “Arch‑Criminal” by Shirley Jackson, 1947
Children are shaped by both positive and negative role models; fear can be a powerful teacher.
In simple terms: Kids learn from good and bad examples.
Key Takeaway
Balance guidance with healthy challenges.
Themes
parenting
morality
learning
fear
Mood
thoughtful
cautionary
Type
narrative
psychological
When to use this quote
- raising children
- education
- storytelling
- character building
Key Concepts
psychology
developmental theory
Questions to Reflect On
- How much risk is healthy for growth?
- What positive examples can you model?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on fear may cause trauma.
![“I found a movie called “Light in the Piazza.” I finally made the movie with Olivia de Havilland and myself, but initially there was no way I could make that movie, so I went to work on becoming that character. They told me they had an Italian [actor], and I said, “That’s a Cuban boy!” His name was…” quote by George Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/790/george-hamilton-7929_actors_i-found-a-movie-called-light-in-the-piaz_946197.jpg)
