you know, god sure missed a few key things when he handed down those commandments. like the one that says "honor thy father and thy mother". i always thought it should have said "honor thy father and they mother and thy children". you would think a perfect all-powerful all-knowing god wouldn't overlook such an important thing. why would god tell us turn the other cheek when we are hit, but then tell us to hit our own children? hitting is not discipline, it's a way to instill fear in the very young to get them to obey you. it's about control. how can you expect a little child to be anything but a child. they are going to squirm when they are sitting still for long periods, especially at those ungodly meetings! i do in fact think the wooden spoon scenario isn't tame at all. why should you have to use a belt or branch or spoon or even your hand to strike a child? you (editorial you) wouldn't permit a caregiver to do that would you? you would be outraged. so why is it ok for a parent to strike a child? there are a zillion other ways to discipline children with love and to demonstrate your authority. if you're diligent and creative. children are vessels. they are sponges. they absorb everything around them. we fill them with what we do, as their parents and their mentors and their guides and their guardians. why shouldn't we fill them with love and teach them and help them, without hitting them? it's archaic as far as i'm concerned. it's unenlightened. it's too easy to hit. it is black-and-white. there are many gray areas in life but this isn't one of them. hitting is hitting, even if you call it "spanking". you can be authoritative and demonstrate your power without hitting. the absence of corporal punishment does not negate your parental authority. any child can be reached and taught to respect authority. any child. all they need is love.
please note: i am not saying parents who use corporal punishment are bad, or don't love their children. i'm just expressing my view of it.
p.s. yes i was hit with a belt, my father's favorite tool of punishment. my mother's favorite was an oleander branch, which like dakota, she made us harvest, clean and wet ourselves, to inflict the most exquisite pain on our little bare legs and arms. i can remember thinking if you love me mommy/daddy, why are you hurting me? i wouldn't hurt you this way***
