Spare the Rod…

adrian peterson

Spoil the child?

I have long angered religion/biblical enthusiasts with my interpretation: you (should) spare the rod and therefore spoil the child. Imagine that! I don’t think that spoiling is wrong; in my opinion, children should be cherished. What I do not promote is spoiling them to a point that they become “rotten” and do not learn to appreciate what is given and shared. That said, I do not want to get too off topic.

Child abuse. NFL halfback Adrian Peterson. Peterson has been indicted on a charge of reckless or negligent injury to a child and faces up to two years in prison and a $10,000 fine if found guilty. Over the summer, he disciplined his 4-year-old son by spanking him with a wooden switch/ tree branch (it is unclear) that reportedly left scars, open wounds and welts. Pictures circulated that I have not seen and I have not looked for them because I don’t want to see them.

Peterson was reinstated by the Vikings earlier today…it’s a family issue, let the courts decide. I’m sure that there are many fans who do not give a damn as long as kick-off is on time. Some have called it a “teachable moment.” Others believe that it is a cultural/generational difference dependent upon how you were raised. So how do we feel about it?

This is the third NFL-related post that I have made in the last month. I DON’T EVEN WATCH FOOTBALL. But these players have made themselves targets, more so than usual.

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3 responses to “Spare the Rod…”

  1. Emily Rose Lewis

    I spanked my son with a wooden cooking spoon that would leave circular welps and sometimes bruise the back of his legs and butt when he was younger. I remember a few times I had to keep him home from YMCA summer camp because I didn’t want the councilor at the YMCA to raise hell out of what was my right to discipline my child. Not all children respond to time outs.
    I think the government has no right to tell a parent they can’t belt, switch or spank the back of the legs of their children.
    My son has turned out respectful, kind and disciplined.
    I don’t see who started the NFL players having to stop playing over stuff they do in their personal life. What does it have to do with football? I just don’t get it. Typically people are fired or suspended for not doing their job. Who decided they had to be societal role models?

    Reply
    1. joyinhome

      I never agreed that athletes SHOULD be role models: they are regular, flawed people. Society has given them that role and so have many parents. I do however appreciate those who have stepped up to accept that role and show our children that they are more than someone who can throw/catch/dunk/hit a ball. As far as your comment about NFL players’ personal lives, it is inaccurate: most jobs have either a morality clause and/or consequences if you break the law and they should be bound by those same laws. And for humanity’s sake, if you beat the hell out of your fiancee/spouse/kid you need to be disciplined… I don’t give a damn who you are.

      Reply

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