I was unaware that physical punishment was still a thing in schools and continues to be debated.
I find the public humiliation of a student, especially those of special needs, to be uncalled for.
And it raises another question for me; how advisable for children with special needs to be
in the regular classes. I understand the need for belonging and acceptance, but, unless the school
budget allows for a number of teacher aids, his/her time is taken up addressing the 'special needs'
of these children.
Special needs, sounds to me like they have special need. Which indicates that they should be set apart for special care.
There are schools designed for this purpose, with teachers who are trained specifically for this purpose, to attend to these children specifically.
I don't know if that system exists in the US, but I think it should.
God's word is higher than all the experts
With regard to God's word, and what it say, many, including myself, are thankful for the discipline we received from our parents.
Of course we did not like being beaten with the rod. We did not like a lot of things... even being told to "go to bed", "eat your vegetables", etc. ...but when we saw the rod... boy, that made a difference. We complied.
What a difference that made in our life.
We were more disciplined, more respectful, and obedient.
Our parents refusal to spare the rod helped. It works in harmony with its purpose.
Of course, like everything else, there are extremes.
For example, nothing is wrong with driving a car. One can make the journey to a destination safely.
On the other hand, some go to an extreme, "gassing it". Oftentimes they don't make their destination safely. They also prevent some poor soul, making their destination.
It's similar with disciplining. Some are balanced - the correct way. Some go to an extreme, and abuse, causing harm to the child, and others, who are affected by the child's reaction.
Some take the other extreme, and don't discipline their children at all, causing the child,, and the public, harm, and causing themselves embarrassment and shame.
How so?
Then when they grow up...
Crimes committed by kids on the rise as expert warns harsher consequences needed: 'The penalties aren't scary'
Violent crime in America spiked during pandemic and some of the most brazen acts have involved underage offenders
From experience, I have seen both cause and effect. (The world today often don't, until years after, when they look back and ask, 'How did we get here'. Then they try working toward a solution, which goes nowhere. Remember the plastic crisis. Where are we now?) Nowhere.
Plastic pollution is growing relentlessly as waste management and recycling fall short, says OECD
In my everyday life, which involves meeting all kinds of people, and having a conversation with them, I can say that for those who were corrected with the rod, in a balanced way, rather than one extreme or the other, the Bible's words are true. "Spare the rod.... spoil the child."
Proverbs 23:13, 14;
Proverbs 13:24;
Proverbs 22:15
Of course, the use of the rod, is not always in a literal way. This too is being balanced.
Like the shepherd that uses his staff to steer the sheep, loving parents may use the rod of authority in directing their children to be respectful.
This is my experience.
