Quote From: skbheardI know that I am probably in the minority, but I still believe in the good book, also known as The Bible, and the verses that say, "Spare the rod and spoil the child" and "Train up a child in the way you would have him go, and when he is older he will not depart from it." I was raised with good old fashioned discipline, where, if needed, neither of my parents were afraid of spanking their kids. There are five of us, all productive parents of beautiful and well mannered children, as well as self supporting members of society. We, too, were raised with the "if you want something badly enough, you'll work for it" philosophy. I decided that I wanted to be a teacher, and worked my way through college.
Now, as a teacher, I see so many children with little, if any, discipline. I have heard them tell their parents what to do, try to tell those of us in charge of their education and well being what they will and will not do, be down right mean to others and laugh at it, and I could go on. I have seen children being raised by grandparents and greatgrandparents because the ones who brought them into the world don't want to be responsible for them. Something has to change or the leaders of tomorrow won't know how to lead in a positive manner! Unfortunately, we live in a sue-happy society and one where parents are so afraid of this now monster called Child Protective Services that they are afraid to try to discipline their own children! Don't get me wrong, CPS has it's good points, but when it comes to causing parents to fear having their children removed for discipline, that can be nothing but destructive! Time out doesn't work for all kids, and there comes an age when, if you try that, you will get told exactly where to get off! (And I don't mean high school age either!)
To those who believe in a little old fashoined discipline, I say "Congratulations" to you! Spread the word that it still works and does no harm. Oh, and for those of you who don't, please note that there is a definite difference between spanking and beating!!
Although I chose not to spank my children I do believe in firm discipline. My children are now all productive, rational adults and behave well. Recently I went into the classroom to do some volunteer work with third-graders and was absolutely shocked at the way those kids behaved. Up out of the chairs, talking over each other, no respect for adults, and no manners whatsoever. I might have expected a little of that kind of behavior from kindergarteners but not from third-graders. Totally different from when I was a child. I do think parents are afraid these days because of the Child Protective Services, even if CPS has some good points. A lot of kids are manipulative and I have seen them claim abuse that never happened while some legitimate abuse cases have gone uncorrected. Other parents were raised so permissively that they don't even know how to discipline themselves let alone their children. Sad situation.
