I think at least part of what is wrong with America is wrapped around the notion that there are not negative consequences that come about from freely made decisions. I think a lot of government, or education, or even childrearing nowadays divorces the negative consequences from bad decisions. This is true of banks or GM getting bailed out when they are on the verge of failure, to illegal immigrants being tolerated, to criminals being let out of jail, to kids being taught that no one needs to lose, and on and on.
If people, or a society, think that there are no negative consequences to bad decisions or poor performance -- as today often there are not -- we're on a downhill slide to mediocrity or worse.
I spanked my boys, judiciously, when they were little. Big difference between beating a child and spanking. I think the experience of being abused as a child, for those who successfully overcome it, could lead one to forswear all corporeal punishment of children. I do think some parents can succeed in raising well disciplined children without spanking. Perhaps it just requires more patience than I had as a young father. Probably depends on the kid's nature, too.
If people, or a society, think that there are no negative consequences to bad decisions or poor performance -- as today often there are not -- we're on a downhill slide to mediocrity or worse.
I spanked my boys, judiciously, when they were little. Big difference between beating a child and spanking. I think the experience of being abused as a child, for those who successfully overcome it, could lead one to forswear all corporeal punishment of children. I do think some parents can succeed in raising well disciplined children without spanking. Perhaps it just requires more patience than I had as a young father. Probably depends on the kid's nature, too.