The children nowadays are too difficult to educate. They don’t have much respect for their parents or for other adults. For this reason, parents don’t know what to do with their children and they become desperate. Because of this desperation, they can’t nd other ways than beating their children to make them leam and disciplined. I feel this can be useful in some cases if done in a controlled manner. But if you use the rod in excess, it can cause serious problems for the child and also for the family. So the question comes, “Is it really necessary to beat children to educate them?”
Many people think that if you educate a small child using the rod, beating him and punishing him, you can have a good control over him. They feel that they can somehow know that the child will behave well and that he will leam to have respect for his parents and others. They feel it would be easier to teach the child good manners by using the rod.
But rough treatment makes the child also behave in a cruel mannerto others as he thinks cruelty is an approved form of punishing somebody who does not do as you wish. On the other hand-fish treatment makes him tough. This toughness can be very useful in future because he is sure to face difficulties and problems in life. A child brought up in a loving manner, in comfort and luxury, will feel puzzled when he is faced with realities outside his home.
Punishment has its negative sides. It kills the initiative and curiosity in children. It makes them less adventurous. They will grow into shy and withdrawn persons and they won’t be respected by others. They will lose confidence and they will be always worried if their actions will be approved by others.
Scholars and even psychologists differ in their views regarding using the rod on children. The fact is it is a highly controversial issue and there is no definite answer to the question “Should the rod be spared?” I remember a story. A criminal was about to be hanged and the judge asked him what his last wish was. He said he wanted to see his mother. She was brought. The criminal embraced the mother, and as he was embracing her he bit o the tip of her nose.
All were appalled at this heinous act. He explained: If this woman had used the rod when I did small mistakes, I wouldn’t have grown into a criminal and reached this stage! I want this to be a warning to parents who give their children freedom to do what they want!”
I am sure he had a point.
