Drama

[catsidhe]

I was angry. Sammaelhain was angry.

We both said stuff hastily that is regrettable.



He believes that it is never justified to make forceful contact with a child. He has good reasons for believing so.

I believe that this position is untenable in the absolute form presented. I have what I believe are good reasons for this position as well.


My post on the subject is still posting-screened for non-friends. I have not blocked anything, I just wanted to have an illusion of control over events and comments getting out of hand.

Others have come up with good, reasonable arguments, on both sides, and that in itself has helped. I've made a new LJ friend, even as I have (alas) lost one.



Hopefully, we can let the drama die now.

Comments

[baronsnorri.livejournal.com]

Scientifically, humans are classified as "Mammalia". We are herd-beasts, as are many other mammals. We have predatory eye orientation (good depth vision) & are inclined towards obtaining food through violent means ("predation").

Wild felines & wild canines bear an uncanny social resemblance to us. To teach a youngster, they administer a short, sharp nip which causes no lasting damage, while reinforcing the concept that the action performed is unacceptable. It saves the youngster from being injured/killed by another (outside the pack) critter, or transgressing social mores & having its throat torn out.

A short, sharp swat to the bottom (large muscles) can have a similar effect, without causing any lasting damage.

Ideally, we can all reason with one another--occasionally, when one hollers "Jump! Now!", it needs to be acted upon immediately, especially by those with limited life experience ("children").

My preference is to talk to children, to explain "Why"--sadly, not always possible. Sometimes, they must respond, instantly, to a disciplinary voice/action, else their safety is forfeit

[brong.livejournal.com]

Yes. I'm very wary of newfangled fashions that don't take into account how well something has worked for thousands of years.

[tau-iota-mu-c.livejournal.com]

Especially when it seems to be usually associated with ignorance. But I repeat myself.

[drjon.livejournal.com]

"Unsurprising, it happens every time I post on the subject. I understand the reaction..."

Hee hee. I doubt it.

*shrug* Move on time. You're responsible for you and yours, not anyone else. You've got poison you've been planted with which'll need drawing, and as you said you've made a new friend. And you tossed a Troll.

Luck.

[alecto23.livejournal.com]

Wow, I somehow managed to miss all that. Even though it seems to have died down now, based on this entry of yours, my sympathies. Nothing like someone whose idea of a rational argument is to take the most extreme example possible to tap into the emotional, kneejerk response to really get the heart racing. I used to have arguments with someone who did that, again in the name of absolutism, and I was always really bad at dealing with the aftermath.

It's good that you challenge yourself, and doubt yourself. But please don't beat yourself up (pun not intended, sorry) thinking that you might be a bad parent because on a very few occasions you have given your child(ren) a light smack on the bottom under the circumstances you've described. It really is more complicated than button-pushing absolutists would have you believe. Be well.