Boycott for Children's Rights #2

Every quiet moment I have been mulling (obsessing) about this Michael and Debi Pearl Boycott. Actually, I haven't been worried about the boycott, but about these books. I haven't read them and, of course, I am curious. Not curious in the sense that I believe these might be effective discipline, but curious in the just how sick are these people sense. If you, too, have this desire and don't wish to be seen with the book and certainly would never put money in their pocket by buying the books go to Stop the Rod. They have some excerpts.

Now that I have read excerpts I am even more horrified. These tips for training are indeed torture. I live in an area that still uses corporeal punishment frequently. In fact, I am in the minority by not spanking my children. People think I am ruining them. Corporeal punishment is still used in the public school (one more reason to homeschool). What these books suggest, especially in the Bible thumping/Spare the rod - Spoil the Child South, is a confirmation of the archaic use of the rod and an appeal to take it one step further by reducing the age of accountability. The problem, as I see it is this. If you allow yourself to spank your children you are giving in to a more base instinct of brute force (I would have said primal, but most healthy animals naturally nurture their young, especially primates).

• The biggest, strongest wins. You are teaching your children that once they get bigger they can wield their power and get their way, thereby creating the bully effect.
• Anger and rage many times rule, rather than reason. Parenting is frustrating. Sleep deprivation is costly in logic. Sometimes you just have a bad day. During these times having a stick(or a supply line) around would lead to abuse and not discipline. I, personally, have had days that I have lost my temper and yelled and ranted at my children. No, yelling at your children is not great, but if I used supply lines for discipline and they were readily available in every room of the house would I have grabbed one of them and called it training. Yelling is easier to forgive than bruises, fear and lack of trust. If you made a decision before your children are born to "Spare the Rod" you are more likely to exercise control in these frustrating times.
• The spirit of the child is broken or irreparably damaged.
  

When you lose the rod:

• Children learn respect of people (not fear of pain).
  
• Children are validated as humans.
• Children feel like important members of the family because their opinions count. They are not dominated by over bearing parents with switches.
• Children are not scared and they can bloom and grow into something beautiful.
• You might learn something about yourself.