imho you guys are sick. adults who hit children should be locked up.
I think I understand your consternation Monkfish. But I don't think we "are sick adults" either. There is a huge differentiation between "abuse" and the "swat on the bums" to grab a child's attention. Believe me, I spent over thirty years working with children and parents. My mentor who was a Pedi for over fifty years followed the philosophy of there were three reasons why a child should get a swat:
1) If he/she was endangering themselves
2) If he/she was endangering others
3) If the child went on a physical attack against his/hers parents.
Now of course, we encouraged our parents to communicate, appreciate, and, validate their children. And that parental compromise often was a more wise decision. "Time outs to think about things" should be tried before ever laying a hand on a child. It is also "age gradient"....the older the child, the easier it is for parents to rationalize and logically get their point across to the child. If a baby/toddler reaches for the stove when it is on, parents can say "No no, it is hot!" but that baby will persist. It is okay to gently swat at their hand and say firmly "No! Hot! You will get a boo boo!"
Most importantly Monkfish, discipline starts early and should be maintained with consistency. Period. Whether a parent swats a child's bums on occassion doesn't make them prime suspect for child abuse. Believe me, I have sat on many a witness stand, giving professional testimony to the very same. A parent doesn't have to lay a hand on a child to abuse them! Emotional, mental, social, education, intellectual,religious cult/fanatic behaviors, substance abuse are just a few more catagories to muck up a poor kid!
I was very proud of you for expressing such a strong reaction regarding child abuse. And, seeing the response of the other Spoofee members, I think they were in support of the same, but, took a more lighthearted response (myself included). Believe me, we had to DOCUMENT AND DOCUMENT when a child came into the office or ER with repeated injuries that were more than suspicious to us. While I am certainly happy for the laws to be on the books, I am all to aware that a light swat on the bums never did any child any harm.
Those laws can go overboard at times as well. One time when my son was about seven, my husband took him to a science museum and in an effort to quickly cross the street, they both ran, and, my son fell, spraining his ankle. My husband immediately took him to the ER for Xrays, no breaks. Two weeks later, we took the training wheels off the bike, let go, and, my son sadly fell off, injuring his arm! Again off to the ER (at the hospital I was on staff!) and again Xrays showed no breaks. You can guess what happened next.......here comes the Social Worker!! They pulled my son into another room, and, questioned him about BOTH events, and, his answers remained the same. You can imagine how we felt as parents. We were innocent, it was two freak accidents, but, we were made to feel like we intentionally pushed or hurt our own son! Took me a few days to regroup, and, I was painfully embarassed, but, my colleagues were supportive.
Did I ever swat my own son?!?!?! I am Southern born and raised, yep, certainly did when it was warrented. But I am a laid back kinda gal, my son was a gifted child, and, it was more beneficial for me to speak to him, and reinforce the positive behaviors. Seems we did okay, he is well educated, and off on his own!:bigok: To this day, he won't ride a bike! :rofl:
Teaches are placed in a very delicate position, of damned if you do, and, damned if you don't. I understand your reaction and your concerns. Again, just from where I sit respectfully. :hug: :wave:
Again, gotta keep things in perspective....(personally, I think I am Mom's favorite!! :tongue: )
