A Salute to Corporal....PUNISHMENT!!

DISCLAIMER: I must warn you before you read this blog entry. It is an extremely sensitive subject and must be taken in the proper context. Please DO NO be offended by the content herein.

I grew up in a large, very church oriented family. I had both parents and 3 brothers & 3 sisters, ALL IN THE SAME HOME! My Great-Grandfather was the Pastor of the church we attended several times a week, and the rest of my family was heavily involved also. Being so deeply rooted in church, you hear many old axioms about the discipline and rearing of children. As a child, I was impervious to many of these sayings, yet I experienced the corollary of these adages.

I was not an especially bad child. I generally adhered to my parents wishes and commands, including their demand for straight A's in school, my share of household chores, civility between my siblings and I, and respect of all persons in authority. These persons included my teachers and pretty much everyone (within reason) that was older than me. I was respectful and obedient. However, on some occasions I flouted my parents' requests. The thing is, I knew what my parents required of me. They painted a very clear picture of what was right and wrong, what was allowed and what was not. Most of the time during these infractions, I knew somewhere in my mind that what I was doing was wrong, but I did not possess the fortitude to comply. In these moments of discretion, Corporal Punishment was what typically ensued.

My father was a large man, but he was predominantly gentle. Notwithstanding, whenever inexorable, he doled out effective and memorable punishment. It is my opinion that when most people think of corporal punishment, the first thing that comes to their minds in abuse. This was not the case. My father never spanked me without first warning me about my transgression. When recapitulated, he sat me down and explained to me what I had done, why it was wrong and why he was punishing me. In my youth, this seemed torturous and unfair, but as an adult I see its desideratum. My father also never had to spank me twice for the same thing.

An old proverb says "Foolishness (imprudence) is bound in the heart of a child...". To me this means that children do not have a completely inherent sense of what is right or correct to do. {If you want to test this theory, give a hungry child a choice between a vegetable (a necessity) and potato chips (a delicacy) and see which they choose.} Because of our nature as humans, it becomes necessary to dispense a form of punishment who's effect will remain foremost in the receivers head. This punishment, when doled out fairly, calmly and correctly, will help children to have a sense of consequence for their actions.

The COMMON SENSE: I'm not saying for you to pull out extension cords and whips, nor am I saying to correct in anger or with malice. I am saying that TIME OUT DOESN'T WORK!!!!!
The level of respect and the sense of consequence in children has diminished drastically since my childhood. Children seem to be more disruptive, more disrespectful, and less polite. There is a direct correlation between the two. I understand now that my father's incorporation of corporal punishment helped me to be the polite, law-abiding, courteous and responsible member of society that I am. Think on this...

Love, Peace and COMMON SENSE