September 19, 2014 • Published by |.
As you have undoubtedly heard, Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson has been indefinitely benched for his role in a possible child abuse situation. The team reportedly still must send him a paycheck – and his (albeit, dwindling) endorsement and royalties checks will still roll in – but the man cannot continue in his role as the NFL’s premier offensive points-producer until his child abuse case is finally resolved.
Some individuals have resisted the punishment. Others – and this goes beyond the subject matter discussed in this post – have indicated the so-called “cultural aspects” at play behind the scenes, urging a parent to utilize the pain-inducing “switch” apparatus in order to rectify their child’s undesired conduct.
For those who do not know, the term “switch” refers basically to a long flexible piece of wood used to whip a child’s rear end until the child presumably learns his or her lesson. In this context of corporal punishment, it can mean a number of different handheld instruments.
From my understanding, before the assault, certain parents enforce the additional shame of having the child fabricate and get ready their own switch.
In the Peterson scenario, as it is claimed, harm to the child’s private parts or even significant bruising, open wounds frequently lead to the utilization of a switch – in contrast to a slap with an open hand, no matter what.
Why is there so much fuss over this one incident, when it is not appropriate to use corporal punishment in many American households? And why does this incident prove a point about a father who happens to be exceptionally well-known and admired by fans across the U.S.?
Once again, parents should try to self-correct and find the appropriate balance between right and wrong when communicating with their well-meaning, supposedly effective preschooler. It can be difficult to effectively use punishment, such as paddling and spanking, which historically includes corporal punishment, to teach a child the difference between right and wrong. This debate over parental discipline should be reconsidered, especially in other jurisdictions where local or state officials may handle the matter differently and have gained more exposure. It is likely that the more exposure the problem of parental discipline receives, the more it will diminish, just like any child advocacy issue. I am glad that this is the case, but I may not have the answer to that question.
Actually, I would categorize this method under the heading of “Correction and communication” instead of using force and coercion as an instrument for lazy parenting.
Think about it from the child’s point of view: the moment of discipline, which connects to the switch at the bottom, is the furthest thing from his mind, as punishment gave rise to his actions or inactions.
How can I physically place myself to make this pain more bearable?
How many punishments am I going to have to withstand?
How much time will this process require?
How much time will this pain last afterwards?
Am I able to successfully navigate this situation?
And so forth…
What the child is not taking into account before, during, or after this form of discipline is:
What mistake did I make?
How can I modify my behavior to satisfy my parent?
How can I handle this situation more effectively in the future?
What is the correct manner to behave so that I can avoid undergoing this inconvenient punishment in the future.
I have heard over and over this week about how Adrian Peterson had to endure the effects of punishment by just using methods which he was accustomed to. Should the bar be set higher? Absolutely. Especially when it comes to high-profile parents.
Fortunately, during our upbringing, our parents observed similar conduct from us because we simply witnessed adult misbehavior being excused and justified. Whether it is influenced by background, upbringing, or cultural factors, all parents, like Peterson, must ensure that their own decisions are guided by discipline.
A mistake should never be acceptable to create an environment in which a child is forced to expect brute force as a consequence – the situation must always be scaled to fit the small stature of the child, serving as a reminder that discipline should be dictated by the context, regardless of cultural traditions or statutes. However, it is unfortunate that many people only consider “child abuse” to be obvious and extreme forms of physical neglect or severe life-threatening harm, leaving psychological and scarring marks that are noticeable under a microscope. This narrow perspective impacts hundreds, if not thousands, of individuals, reaching both their behavior and their perception of good and bad parents in any industry.
To learn more about physical discipline, including a state-by-state examination, please visit the Center for Effective Discipline.