GavinBelfast

The “Oh fuck, I’m an old man” blog…


Who exactly decided that you can’t hit children? The UK government or the EU? Doesn’t really matter I guess, would just like to know.

I’m somewhat conflicted about this subject, let’s see where I go here…

I would never endorse the beating of kids, that’s wrong, children are defenceless, we should protect them, no doubt. The thought of hitting my own daughter, even a slight smack on the arse, doesn’t sit well with me. I was subject to such treatment and I know it’s the cause of a lot of resentment and hostility in me. I’m not one for repeating the mistakes of others, or least I try my hardest not to be.

Looking at the bigger picture, for centuries, adults hit children, as punishment mostly, there’s always a few sick bastards. You’d hit a child when they do something wrong, if the child has any sense they won’t do it again, that’s called disciplining, you don’t want them doing that thing, and they don’t want to get hit again, as long as the parent wasn’t a sick bastard, the child would pretty much respect the parent or at least behave for them. Respect through fear I guess.

Typing it out, it sounds bad, the problem is, and where my conflict is, is that for centuries, this practice worked…

People were taught respect the hard way, people respected other people, people respected what was around them and people knew how to behave in society.

Can that really be said now? In my opinion, no, it can’t.
People these days have no respect and are often quite oblivious to what’s going on around them. I see more and more that people don’t know how to behave in society, and don’t get me wrong, I’m pretty guilty of this too, you’ll know that if you’ve met me, but I think how I behave is more a reaction, or possibly just conformity, to society in general.

Back to the point (if I end up making one).
Is it better to have the ability to physically discipline your child?
I know when I was young, if there adults around, even strangers, I’d behave, mostly. Because there was a good chance I’d get cuffed round the head if I didn’t. Children don’t face that now…

What, you’re putting me on the naughty step? Oh, I’ve to stay in my room have I? I’m NOT getting a brand new mobile? I can’t have £100 for a pair of trainers?

Not quite the same is it?

In school, what’s the worst punishment? Suspension? Expulsion? OK, then the parents probably go to the European Court of Human Rights (or a newspaper) and get them reinstated because it’s not right that their little angel is being denied an education (make sure to blame ADHD too). Nevermind that the wee brat battered a teacher round the head with a chair.
Years ago, and thankfully I missed it, if you misbehaved in school, you’d get caned or the teacher would just whack you. “You do that again Maxwell and I’ll crack your head open!”, “Ok Sir, sorry Sir”, you can see how that works, respect through fear (and probably sadism).
Again, you’ll get the sick fuckers abusing it but it worked, people were better educated in the past because all you were allowed to do in school was learn!


I’m not blaming societies downfall on not being able to hit kids, there are far bigger and scarier reasons for that, it just seems to me that there’s an interesting parallel.
I’m still very unsure of my own views on this subject, this blog is more or less me thinking out loud, debating with myself in public. I’d be interested to hear if anyone agrees or disagrees with me here, or if anyone could add anything to this or would like to slap me (ironically) for writing this.