we have found that the underdisciplined child will bump up against life eventually and learn their lessons that way – albeit all the harder for their parents' earlier lack of courage and concern. The overdisciplined child lives all its life in a self-made cage, or bursts from it so wild and profligate with untutored energy they harm all about them, and always themselves. We prefer to underdiscipline, reckoning it better in the long drift, though it may seem harsher at the time.
The author discusses the contrasting outcomes of underdisciplining and overdisciplining children. He argues that while underdisciplined children may face challenges as they learn lessons from life, the repercussions of overdisciplining can be detrimental. Overdisciplined children often find themselves constrained in a self-imposed cage, and when they finally break free, they may act recklessly, causing harm to themselves and others.
In the long run, the author believes that a balanced approach of underdisciplining is preferable, despite the immediate difficulties it may present for parents. This perspective suggests that allowing children some freedom can foster resilience and adaptability, rather than leading them to become overly rigid and stifled individuals.
