Elephant Stew:

A statement made in regards to a photos of a child beaten by a parent.... I saw when you posted this a few hours ago CS, and I wasn't sure what say then, and I have to be honest that I did not read the article, it is hard for me to look at, not because I don't like the site of blood, but because I am a product of abuse against children. Do I think my mothers "old school rearing was negative: NO, not now as an adult, I am grateful, however as a child who went to school with the other children, my psychological perspective of things is skewed because I did not know who I was, I was a product of my environment and in my environment "self/me" was not important and I was treated that way" , do I think she could have tried to talk to me: Yes. Have I gotten in to verbal thwarts with my mother and words were said from both sides through out the years to each other: Affirmative. At the time in my child mind, I was not clear as to why my biological mother would throw verbal and emotional negative statements at me for everything, or hit me with the closes thing to her....and you know what as an adult I still don't know...But what I do know is that even in anger when my mother would spank me she NEVER, NEVER humiliated me or made my face, body, look like that photo. This kind of abuse from a parent has irreconcilable differences and issue that are/can stay dormant until adulthood I can not speculate on anyone's social circumstances (eduction, knowledge of children, children's rights, children development etc, ), however this parent should have sought help, before responding to this child. We as African people have many community outlets that can help with discipline and the proper ways to beat your child (I mean spank). This child, got this pattern of paternal disrespect or learned behavior over time, it was not something that happened in one night of him calling his mother and or father a name other than "mommy" and "daddy". And, even in the christian bible I believe Ecclesiastics 6:1-5 I think is says: Children Honor your father and your mother which is the first commandement, and further down in that same chapter (6:4KJV) it says: Parents do not bring your children to wrath but TEACH them.....http://kingjbible.com/ephesians/6.htm This is important because although I am not christian, there is a guideline on how to care for and tend to the "children". The things I can address are: The point that this person is a child: A person not of the age of majority. The person in the photo is a minor and has made a pretty blatant accusation that his parents abused him and then placed that photo and accusation in the court of opinion instead of to local law enforcement. In know state that I know of is there a law that would protect a parent (as defined by law) from prosecution for the abuse of this juvenile. My person thought is: I would never raise a hand to my child (when they are had) that would humiliate their spirit, break their stride, or cause them to have a loss of fear: authority, me, God, etc...I will beat my kids in discipline and I will make sure they fear me next to God, but I will not break their stride in the process...