In Timor Leste Money Does Equal Happiness

I've never been a parent and never had to deal with the stressful situation of an unruly, cying child. But the Timorese seem to have figured out a solution to making their children stop crying.

$$$$$

I kept seeing little kids in the unit with dollar bills clutched in their hands. One little boy went to surgery with a sinlge dollar in his hand and returned with about $7. Wow, who knew surgery made you rich. I asked one of the translators about it. She said parents give their child money until they have given enough money that the child stops crying.

(this photo is after Rivaldo came back from surgery)

Would this tactic work on american children??