I was staying out of this because I thought that everything I might have to
offer was being written by others. Then Deb asked Michael "(1) Why is it OK
for a parent to spank a child, but no one else?" The context of her question
implies that she is questioning cultural beliefs that permit hitting
children but not adults. However, her question reminded of one other problem
that I have with the idea that hitting children can be appropriate
discipline. It is a small step from "it is OK to hit my kids" to "it is OK
to hit any kid that is out-of-line."
We have a state legislature candidate from central Virginia who took that
step. He was in a hospital waiting room and decided that a 3-year-old
stranger was a threat to his own infant. In order to remove the threat he
spanked this child in the presence of his mother. When asked to apologize
the candidate indicated that his behavior was appropriate and that he would
do it again. The mother of the 3-year-old had him charged with assault. At
trial, the judge said he committed assault but the crime was not
sufficiently serious (perhaps the victim' age was a factor) to find him
guilty so he was found innocent. I was appalled when the letters to the
editor in the local paper (Roanoke Times) ran heavily in support of the
candidate's behavior.
In support of another thread, I suspect that this guy is exactly the kind of
person that Paul is calling to task.
Regards,
Dennis
Dennis M. Goff
Dept. of Psychology
Randolph-Macon Woman's College
Lynchburg, VA 24503
