Rachel's Paideia Blog

Spanking--Missed Class

Dr. G asked me to post a blog about the class discussion that I missed about the spanking issue, so here it is. The article (which I read a while ago and can't seem to find to refer back to...) argued both sides, for and against spanking. I couldn't help but draw from personal experience when judging the two. I was spanked as a kid, not severely beaten or anything, and I felt it was beneficial and not at all detrimental to my health or well-being or anything like that. The article that was against spanking was not clear enough in its definition of what constituted "corporal punishment", as the other article pointed out, which I thought was a major point of weakness for it. Of course I think it's wrong for a parent to physically harm their child as punishment, but I don't see much wrong with spanking.
I feel like this also relates back to something that's come up a lot in our group's discussions: the fact that parents today seem to baby their children much more than our generation's parents did. I was spanked, and I spent most of my time as a kid out around the neighborhood getting into mischief and whatnot, and I am so glad! That seems to have a lot to do with my independence as a person today, which is a really great thing and a crucial part of my personality.
Spanking, as I remember it, has a lot more to do with shame and embarrassment for wrong-doing than it does with violence. I am not traumatized because my parents spanked me. I completely understand why they did it--I would do it to my kid if he was being a little shit too. I'm afraid the kids that grow up in this generation are going to be overly sensitive, weak adults. That's scary!

posted by Rachel @ 9:21 PM 0 Comments

Post-B&G Club Experience

Overall, I have to say I really enjoyed my experience with the Boys and Girls Club. Our group went in for four sessions every Wednesday for a month. Each time we went, the group that participated got smaller and smaller, but no complaints there. The first time, there were probably around 30 kids, which was pretty overwhelming. I did have a lot of fun that time though...I kind of liked all of the participation, though it was kind of difficult to maintain order. The next session probably worked out the best--there were significantly fewer kids (maybe 15?) and they all seemed genuinely interested in what we were teaching them rather than just the free popcorn. Our final session was a little disappointing, mainly due to bad weather. Every other time we had gone outside, but it was wet and cold so we had like 5 kids and were inside, which was fine. I did feel like I got to know those kids on a little more personal level, which was nice.
I do have a few reservations about the significance of what we did, however. Sure, we spent time with the kids and got to know them, and I think everyone involved had a good time, but I don't know that they were really impacted at all. I kind of doubt that any of them will continue with gymnastics or yoga or tai chi. It was fun, but maybe not important. I don't know exactly what I was expecting though. I think I couldn't have asked for much more given the situation and activities. I'm not saying it was bad or that I regret it, but I feel like what the other groups are doing might be a bit more beneficial. I don't think there's anything wrong with that though.

posted by Rachel @ 11:39 AM 0 Comments