Is it ok to beat your kids?

I was surfing around on my iPad the other night and saw the following clip about a Texas judge who was belting his young child (who happened to have cerebral palsy) and it prompted me to think about this issue.

(WARNING VIDEO IS GRAPHIC)



Is it OK to beat your child? What is acceptable discipline and what is unacceptable? What impacts can physical abuse lead to children? How about emotional abuse - is this worse and more hidden?

When I watched the video I couldn't put my ipad down. I was in absolute shock at the severity of the punishment and the absolutely white-rage attitude the man took. I still feel pretty annoyed when I see this video on a number of levels.

First level is that it's a disgrace to humanity that this could happen. The only thing that separates us from animals is our ability to judge ourselves and control our instincts rather than let the instincts control us. This was absolutely beastly.

Second is that he's a esteemed members of society and a Judge. The fact that this would be seen as anywhere near normal and influencing our society in the future is just scary.

Third is the impact that one person can have on others. He had abused his wife and daughter to the point where they didn't believe that anything was wrong - or were too afraid to do anything about it.

Forth is the believe that no man is greater than another unless earned. What entitles him to be more powerful than the other person in this situation - he certainly hasn't earned his way to this position.

Fifth and perhaps the worst for me was the intent. I think the intent was malicious and obviously un-relentless.

Thinking about the ways that this made me really annoyed revealed a few lessons for me . Firstly was the way I rolled and what I placed importance on. But it also challenged me to be a bit more understanding of people.

The girl who posted the video apparantly had a twitter account that said her father needed help not hate. Is that actually possible? Should it be done?

Broader still, what am I doing for humanity? What are my lessons?

These would seem to be better ways of dealing with the emotional response than 'annoyance' - so I challenge us to react but then to do something about it within our control.

Feel free to comment below.

Jono

What's up Jono

Welcome to my mind.