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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Parents Who Hit Teach Kids Same

Ann Landers Creators Syndicate

Dear Ann Landers: This is a controversial subject that is sure to bring in a ton of responses, mostly negative, but I’m going to have my say.

I see nothing wrong with a good, hard spanking when a child is misbehaving. I am sick and tired of listening to whining brats in supermarkets and department stores while their parents plead with them to “behave yourself.” I am shocked to see small children exercising such power over their parents. When my kids acted like brats, I told them, “If you don’t be quiet, I’ll take you to the car and give you something to cry about!” Needless to say, they learned how to behave in public as well as at home.

I’m a firm believer in “spare the rod and spoil the child.” I don’t buy the notion that a spanking is abuse. It’s gotten to the point where if a parent raises his voice or looks cross-eyed at a kid, he is considered a child abuser.

My father was a very loving man who worked hard to support my mother, my sister and me. If we didn’t obey, he let us know verbally. If that didn’t work, he’d take off his belt and use it. Once we got a strapping, he never had to hit us for the same offense again. I’m thankful for every strapping I ever got because I learned to respect the rights of others in the process.

Child abuse is one thing, but I believe not teaching children right from wrong is neglectful. I often wonder how this young generation is going to turn out and what our country is going to be like when the spoiled brats are in control. - Future Shocked in Bellefontaine, Ohio

Dear Bellefontaine: Sorry, I don’t agree. Parents who hit their children teach them to hit others. And, please tell me, when does hitting end and beating begin? And who decides where the line is?

Depriving a child of privileges such as no TV for a week, or not being permitted to go to the movies, sports events or the home of friends is much more effective. If you will read the history of the most violent criminals, you will find that almost without exception, they were physically abused throughout their childhood.

Dear Ann Landers: Your definition of “Class” has been prominently displayed for 36 years on our family bulletin board. Today, I am asking you to reprint another column I clipped many years ago. It is your definition of love. Being 70, having had 36 extremely happy years with my husband and sons, I want to thank you for your wisdom and ask you to keep re-running these columns for another generation to read and live by. - Norma in Louisville

Dear Norma: Here it is: Love Love is friendship that has caught fire. It is quiet understanding, mutual confidence, sharing and forgiving. It is loyalty through good and bad times. It settles for less than perfection and makes allowances for human weaknesses.

Love is content with the present, it hopes for the future and it doesn’t brood over the past. It’s the day-in and day-out chronicle of irritations, problems, compromises, small disappointments, big victories and working toward common goals.

If you have love in your life, it can make up for a great many things that are missing. If you don’t have love in your life, no matter what else there is, it’s not enough.

xxxx