Eytom Blog

"Spanking" is a euphemism for hitting. So you are saying this five year old child needs to be hit. Who should hit her? Her parents? So are you saying it's okay for the more powerful people within a family to hit the family members with less power? What about a husband hitting a wife? Is that okay? What if the wife is being a real ass that day? Does that make it okay to hit her?

A 5 year old is a baby. No five year old **is** a "little shit," although her behavior may be really unpleasant to deal with for the adults around her. And 90% of how a five year old behaves is a direct reflection on the adults who are guiding her - at home and at school. Maybe the parents and teachers could exchange blows until they figure out who is screwing this tiny child up.

Katie

"Spanking" is a euphemism for hitting. So you are saying this five year old child needs to be hit.

>point conceded-I've removed the reference to spanking

Who should hit her? Her parents? So are you saying it's okay for the more powerful people within a family to hit the family members with less power? What about a husband hitting a wife? Is that okay? What if the wife is being a real ass that day? Does that make it okay to hit her?

>now you're just baiting me, a spanking and a beating are not the same thing

A 5 year old is a baby. No five year old **is** a "little shit,"

>not true, I've taught some real fucking assholes and they were 10, being young does not exonerate one from your responsibility to behave in a socailly acceptable manner

although her behavior may be really unpleasant to deal with for the adults around her. And 90% of how a five year old behaves is a direct reflection on the adults who are guiding her - at home and at school. Maybe the parents and teachers could exchange blows until they figure out who is screwing this tiny child up.

>fair enough

Katie

My philosophy is predicated on not initiating violence and I've never struck my three-year-old daughter. I also view children/minors as almost-sovereign individuals, with unique souls that deserve respect. I agree with not striking children
but think the real problem is the government-run youth indoctrination centers that pass for schools. Incidents like this, as well as school shootings seem to primarily occur in government-run schools and not independent schools.

My thoughts on this:

http://locoparentis.blogspot.com/2004/11/choosing-not-to-hit.html

Non-coercive parenting is my goal, but I don't go quite as far as these folks, interesting as their ideas seem:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taking_children_seriously

http://www.takingchildrenseriously.com/

For the most part I concur, this article does a decent job, however, of summing up my feelings. In particular, "Beg pardon, but am I the only benighted member of the old school who wanted to spank that child's backside?

Not "beat.'' Not "abuse.'' But spank? Definitely.

Granted, I don't know anything about this girl. Maybe she has emotional problems. Maybe she's been mistreated. Maybe there are mitigating factors. In which case, I'll be the first to admit I'm wrong.

But assuming I'm not, assuming Ja'eisha is what she appears — a brat in a snit — you have to ask yourself if anybody has ever laid down the law to her, said no and made it stick, socialized her. It's a job, I hasten to add, that begins not with schools, but with parents."

http://www.jewishworldreview.com/0405/pitts042905.php3

I read Kate's article and am proud to say that I have never hit, nor ever wanted to hit my children. It strikes me as odd that someone who has engaged in the initiation of violence against children would sharply criticize others for suggesting what she has done herself. (Also, the noun kids is a sub-standard substitute for children/students.)