The Case Of Adrian Peterson: Punishment Or Discipline?

3143 Words7 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Corporal punishment in school

The Case of Adrian Peterson:
Punishment or Discipline?

Angela Babadjanian
ID: 25062092
Maral Aghvinian
ID: 24812172
Dr. Lewis
Psychology of Violence
University of California, Irvine

Background:
Minnesota Vikings National Football League (NFL) star, Adrian Peterson, was indicted in September 2014, for beating his four year-old son as a form of punishment for his alleged unruly behavior. According to media reports, Peterson’s son pushed his sister off a motorbike while playing a video game inside their home. In order to educate his son for his wrongdoing against his sister, Peterson grabbed a branch from a tree and whipped the young child several times, repeatedly. Reports indicated that the child suffered multiple …show more content…

Peterson’s lashing out and beating of his son was not his first experience with abuse. In fact, Peterson himself had been subjected to strict beatings of the same nature, using tree branches or “switches” and belts, by both his parents throughout the course of his entire childhood (Gregorian, 2014). Peterson grew up in Palestine, Texas, where corporal punishment was not only allowed, but used plainly in school districts throughout the state. A childhood friend of Peterson, David Cummings, recounts a day while they were in elementary school where Peterson’s father beat him with a belt in front of 20 other classmates for misbehaving in school (Gregorian, 2014). Adrian’s mother, Bonita Jackson, who also agreed entirely with her husband’s view on corporal punishment, would also whip Adrian for misbehaving (Gregorian, 2014). His father continued to beat him well into his teens, until he was arrested for money laundering for a crack ring, causing him to spend several years in prison (Gregorian, 2014). When asked about these experiences, Peterson responded: “I have always believed the way my parents disciplined me has a great deal to do with the success I have enjoyed as a man.” Evidently, there is support that Peterson modeled the same techniques his parents used on him with the intention of disciplining his son. Social learning theory holds that victims of such abusive …show more content…

(2014, July 31). The Rate of Domestic Violence Arrests Among NFL Players | FiveThirtyEight. Retrieved from http://fivethirtyeight.com/datalab/the-rate-of-domestic-violence-arrests-among-nfl-players/

Ng, C. (2014, June 12). O.J. Simpson Trial: Where Are They Now? - ABC News. Retrieved from http://abcnews.go.com/US/oj-simpson-trial-now/story?id=17377772

Odhayani, A, W., L., & Watson, W. (2013). Behavioural consequences of child abuse , vol. 59 No. 8, 831–836. Retrieved from http://www.cfp.ca/content/59/8/831.full

Parameswari, B. (2015). Domestic Violence and Child Abuse. IOSR Journal Of Humanities And Social Science, 20(2), 56-59. Retrieved from http://www.iosrjournals.org/iosr-jhss/papers/Vol20-issue2/Version-3/I020235659.pdf

Patton, S. (2014, September 21). Understanding Black America and the spanking debate. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-29261462

Pennington, B, E., S. (2014, September 19). In Domestic Violence Cases, N.F.L. Has a History of Lenience . Retrieved from

Show More
Related

  • Adrian Peterson Case Study: Child Abuse

    1121 Words  | 3 Pages

    Adrian Peterson Case SLP: What is child abuse? Child abuse is when a parent or caregiver, whether through action or failing to act, causes injury, death, emotional harm or risk of serious harm to a child. It happens every day, when a child is being abused. National Football League runner-back Adrian Peterson has been accused of abusing his 4-year-old son.

    Read More

  • Bell Hooks' Incorrect Stance On Punnishment

    547 Words  | 2 Pages

    The idea of physical punishment has been visible throughout our nation’s history. The 30’s, 40’, 50’s all encouraged the use of strong physical discipline towards children, it wasn’t until the 60’s and 70’s that this idea became taboo. “Many of us in the room had been smacked, whipped, or beaten as children...

    Read More

  • O.J. Simpson and the Trial of the Century

    2068 Words  | 5 Pages

    Linsky, L. (1995-1996). Use of Domestic Violence History Evidence in the Criminal Prosecution: A Common Sense Approach. Pace Law Review, 73-95.

    Read More

  • Ray Rice: Football Star to Pariah

    1052 Words  | 3 Pages

    A year and a half ago, Ray Rice was one of the top running backs in the National Football League. Rice had it all, money, fame, and a successful career in the pros, but who knew that Rice would be capable of such a terrible act of violence. Kids all over the country looked up to him for how he played the game and even how he acted. Rice made an impact in the lives of many young people due to his signature event, Ray Rice Day, where he gave hundreds of kids instruction and encouragement, and also fun by playing football.(Ray Rice Makes Impact in Youth Community,1). Adults looked up to Rice too, due to his multiple charities that he is very active in. Rice’s persona was great until February 15, 2014. On this date, Rice and his then fiancee, Janay Palmer, got into an altercation in an elevator in the early morning after a very long night of heavy drinking. Rice and Palmer got physical and Rice knocked her out, then continued to drag her out of the elevator. The police were called, and they were both arrested on the scene and taken to jail. Ray Rice tarnished his image after being such a respected person in the NFL community and all around the world. One camera

    Read More

  • Greg Hardy Case Study

    691 Words  | 2 Pages

    Society allows and encourages husbands to assault, abuse, control, and discipline their wives. In many domestic violence homicides, whether a man or woman dies, there is a long history of the man’s abuse of the woman even if the woman is the one killing the man. Many still believe denial over accusations. Barry Goldstein, a domestic violence expert and author of The Quincy Solution: Stop Domestic Violence and Save $500 Billion said, “In the context of domestic violence, the term ‘first-time offenders’ is really misused and domestic violence is the most underreported crime, so by the time police and law enforcement hear about a man’s domestic violence crime, he’s probably committed domestic violence before.” Most sufferers of domestic violence are not one-time abusers. Hardy’s ex-girlfriend told police that he abused her before, but she was afraid to report it because he would have killed her. When sufferers get the chance to report crimes and the justice system goes easy on the abuser because it is a first offense and reinforces to the sufferer that reporting the abuse is definitely not worth it. The sufferer of course stays and continues to accept the abuse, and does not report it again, and the justice system thinks that they are doing a good job because the abuser not arrested

    Read More

  • The Negative Results of Childhood Exposure to Domestic Violence

    844 Words  | 2 Pages

    The phrase “domestic violence” typically refers to violence between adult intimate partners. It has been estimated that every year there are about 3.3 to 10 million children exposed to domestic violence in the confines of their own home (Moylan, Herrenkohl, Sousa et al. 2009). According to research conducted by John W. Fantuzzo and Wanda K. Mohr(1999): “[e]xposure to domestic violence can include watching or hearing the violent events, direct involvement (for example, trying to intervene or calling the police), or experiencing the aftermath (for example, seeing bruises or observing maternal depression)” (Fantuzzo & Mohr, 22). The effects of exposure can vary from direct effects such as behavioral and developmental issues to interpersonal relationships, all of which lead to detrimental prospects on the child’s development. This paper will explore those effects and how it affects children.

    Read More

  • The Importance Of Discipline In African American Society

    1241 Words  | 3 Pages

    Imagine being beaten every time one makes a mistake. Imagine not being beaten and to only later be killed for committing one of these mistakes. Imagine loving this individual. Now imagine being the one to beat this person for their protection. This is the complex situation of many in the African American community. Consisting of using physical discipline as a method of protection and discipline. Many parents with children of color often go through great lengths to make sure that their child is well disciplined. Discipline, is the practice of training one to obey rules or a code of behavior, using punishment to correct disobedience. The method of discipline many in colored societies opt for is physical discipline. However, there are some who

    Read More

  • Domestic Violence in the United States

    2207 Words  | 5 Pages

    Shannon Brennfleck, Joyce. Ed. Domestic Violence Sourcebook: Third Edition. Detroit, Michigan: Omnigraphics Inc. 2009. 51-56. Print.

    Read More

  • Why Spanking Is Wrong

    631 Words  | 2 Pages

    The practice of spanking is commonly endorsed by most religions, including Christianity (“Corporal punishment deep rooted”). Spanking is an important aspect of a child’s social development and should not be considered an evil form of abuse. In her argument, Debra Saunders says that there is an obvious difference between beating a child and spanking a child, and parents know the boundary.

    Read More

  • A Brief Biography Of OJ Simpson

    1058 Words  | 3 Pages

    OJ Simpson, one of football’s most legendary players, was admired and extolled by many sports-lovers from across the nation. From being selected as the number one player in the 1969 draft to being named NFL’s Player of the Year three times, he led a life of success and fame (CNN.com). Yet behind this renowned MVP, there stood a dark side. In June of 1994, Simpson was arrested for allegedly murdering his wife, Nicole Simpson, and family friend, Ronald Goldman. Simpson pleaded not guilty and eventually won his trial, but his reputation and status were far from recovery. In September of 2007, Simpson was once again arrested, this time on grounds of robbery and kidnapping sports memorabilia. Simpson is a fine example to the age old argument that celebrities should not be given special treatment in the court room because at the end of the day, no matter now powerful they might be, they’ve committed a crime and should pay for their wrongdoing.

    Read More

  • Should Professional Athletes Be Allowed To Play After Committing a Crime?

    1918 Words  | 4 Pages

    Many people believe that professional athletes are “above the law”. In reality, they are human beings like you and me who, no matter what the circumstances, can and will be charged like an average person. The offense of the crime can certainly come into play on whether or not a professional athlete who commits a crime should be allowed to play again.

    Read More

  • Domestic Violence and Public Policy

    1226 Words  | 3 Pages

    Farney, Andrea and Valente, Roberta. Creating justice through balance: integrating domestic violence. Juvenile and Family Court Journal. 2003, p.35-49.

    Read More

  • Domestic Violence and the Effect it has on Family

    1602 Words  | 4 Pages

    “Domestic violence is a violent confrontation between family or household members involving physical harm, sexual assault, or fear of physical harm” (Stewart & Croudep, 1998-2012). In most places, domestic violence is looked at as one of the higher priorities when trying to stop crime. Domestic violence cases are thought to be influenced by the use of alcohol, drugs, stress or anger, but in reality, they are just learned behaviors by the batterer. These habits can be stopped as long as one seeks help (Stewart & Croudep, 1998-2012). For instance, a child is brought up in a household that is constantly involved in criminal acts.

    Read More

  • The Effects of Domestic Violence on Children

    1461 Words  | 3 Pages

    How does domestic violence between parents and parental figures affect the children who witness it? This is a question often asked by Sociologists and Psychologists alike. There have been studies that prove that children who witness domestic inter-parental violence experience mental health problems, issues with gender roles, substance abuse, the committing of crimes and suicide/suicide attempts later in their lives. This paper will explore all five of these 'effects' of domestic violence on children and show that there is evidence of a clear relationship in which increasing parental violence is associated with increasing outcome risks (Fergusson & Horwood, 1998, p.8).

    Read More

  • Spare The Rod Spoil The Parenting By Leonard Pitt Analysis

    553 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the column “Spare the Rod, Spoil the Parenting”, Leonard Pitts Jr. asserts that most of kids are spoiled. Pitts restates in his column that some form of corporal punishment, such as open-handed swats on the backside, arm or legs, does not leave a child scarred for life. This was found in a study done by Dr. Diana Baumrind, a psychologist from he university of California. Pitts finds it offensive when a child that has been spanked is compared with a child that has been scalded or punched. Arguing with a five year old does wonders for the self-esteem of the child but it kills the self-esteem of the adult and could cause insanity, declares Pitts. Children now a day have too much sense of entitlement and keeps one wondering w...

    Read More

More about The Case Of Adrian Peterson: Punishment Or Discipline?

Open Document