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Full Idea
It is a mistake to speak as if emotional control is always a matter of controlling a token emotional response or action; …rather, it is like reshaping the channel along which future emotions can run.
Clarification
'Token' means a particular instance
Gist of Idea
Emotional control is less concerned with emotional incidents, and more with emotional tendencies
Source
Peter Goldie (The Emotions [2000], 4 'Education')
Book Ref
Goldie,Peter: 'The Emotions' [OUP 2002], p.117
A Reaction
Presumably wise parents direct habitual feelings, where less wise parents respond to outbursts. The very best parents therefore presumably achieve complete brainwashing, and eliminate all initiative. Er, perhaps I've misunderstood?