by IvoryBill » Fri Mar 12, 2010 3:21 am
Oh, ass-whoopings change people, all right. They turn naturally timid children into adults who are downright terrified of life. They make feisty children bitter and even drive them to criminal behavior later in life.
I get what you're saying. It drives me nuts to watch parents in public say weakly to their bratty sprogs: "Now, now, Jason. Please don't do that," while little Jason laughs in mommy's face and keeps on running wild. But nor do I believe in smacking the crap out of children, the way I was treated myself. Unfortunately I'm not sure where the happy medium is. How does one teach kids to respect their elders and generally act like they're part of a society, but without crushing their spirit...?
"When I awoke today, suddenly nothing happened,
But in my dreams, I slew the dragon.
And down this beaten path, up this cobbled lane,
Walking in my old footsteps once again."
--Colin Hay