On February 12th, NBC debuted the first part to their new 8-part miniseries called The Slap that touches on the sensitive topic of physically disciplining a child. The show is based on the various accounts of guests at a party where a man scolds a boy for irresponsibly swinging a bat around other children. The child then kicks the man who in return hits the child. This storyline has some viewers in an uproar leading to the sensitive topic of disciplining vs. abusing a child.
“Stop crying before I give you something to cry about”, “I brought you in this world and I’ll take you out”.… So many have heard these phrases right before receiving a lashing. In most African-American ‘old school’ households, a child was beat if they disrespected an adult or did something they knew was wrong. Modern day parents feel hitting a child is crossing the line from tough love to corporal punishment. Even TV-dad Dr. Heathcliff Huxtable threatened Theo on one episode of The Cosby Show with taking him out. We have all seen the videos of parents going too far when hitting their child and yes some are harsh, but the question remains… Is there harm in getting an OLD-FASHIONED beating or spanking?
-Natalee J. Langley (@_naturallynat)
