Thread: Spanking strops

Those were different times, with different standards. While certainly I remember my grandmother sending us cousins off to get a switch, which she was not afraid to deploy, and I got some spankings as a child, I don't think spanking ought to be a parenting tool beyond the occasional swat on the rear end of a little one when you can't get their attention otherwise.

My experience that it wasn't really a deterrent, as children's brains don't think of consequences much before they commit whatever offense it is they have in mind. And as someone who has taught thousands of teenagers, I can tell you that long-repressed childhood rage can be a dangerous and destructive force.

Personally, I think someone who would seriously lay into bare flesh with a leather strop is guilty of child abuse. All old-fashioned notions notwithstanding, I have known many screwed-up kids and adults that were not spared the rod, and many well-adjusted ones who were. I'm just sayin.'


edit: Speaking of other old customs that have (thankfully) fallen out of favor, my mom and many others smoked during pregnancy because docs back then (mid-60's) said it would calm her nerves. A woman who does that now would be shamed as a pariah. Oh, and we rode around without seat belts too. Some things belong in the past because we now know better. Sorry if that sounded preachy and self-righteous. Aaron