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On Spanking And Child Abuse: Article Analysis

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Spanking and beating a child, as a form of discipline, is a major topic and issue amongst families in the world today. Generations ago, spanking was considered the form of punishment, a child should receive, for bad behavior. In today’s world, people feel that spanking has become out of hand and has been seen as a practice of child abuse creating controversy around corporal punishment. In ‘On Spanking and Abuse’, Charles M. Blow talks about corporal punishment in relation to Adrian Peterson and the extent to which he spanked his son. Michael Eric Dyson analyzes Adrian Peterson’s actions as abuse or punishment in the article ‘Punishment or Child Abuse’ and Melinda Wenner Moyer looks at spanking in general in the article ‘When is it OK to Spank?’ …show more content…
Beating and spanking is a big tradition amongst the black families. Spanking is seen in their past history, and through generations, stories of punishment has thrived among the black culture. The tradition of spanking has led to a habit in families, which is always difficult to break. The black culture also follows religious beliefs where beating and spanking is considered acceptable and the best form of punishment and discipline for children. Dyson uses the example of Adrian Peterson as evidence of the black culture and how tradition, religious beliefs and habits influences the form of punishment a child gets for bad behavior. Blow also draws attention to the Adrian Peterson story. “Spanking is an age-old disciplinary technique” (Blow) and has been seen to come from the roots of …show more content…
Abuse is seen as pain and an emotional effect on the victim. Some people believe that pain is an instrument of love but the drawing of blood is the extreme action and is not an expression of love, which is what Adrian Peterson achieved with spanking his son a little too far. Discipline is to train people to obey rules and learn between right and wrong, and to communicate values, especially to young children.
Moyer feels that spanking can be an appropriate form of discipline, if children are spanked at a certain age, as well as the frequency and intensity of the beating. The less frequent a child is spanked and at a decent intensity could result in an improvement in the child’s behavior. If a child is spanked frequently and at a harsh intensity the future results could be detrimental towards how the child behaves later on in life.
Dyson analyzes the psychological effects spanking or beatings can have on an infant. A child who is spanked most likely feels sad, worthless, could have difficulties in sleeping, and could have possible anxiety. This impacts the child negatively. Blow agrees with Dyson stating that children are traumatized and have after effects after being

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