A Parent's Choice to Empower or to Control

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A Parent's Choice to Empower or to Control

I was raised in a home where corporal punishment was a way of life. My parents, both from a very strict religious background, felt justified in spanking and instilling fear in the name of God. They believed they were fulfilling their parental responsibilities; this is how they were raised by their parents, spanked to ensure respect and obedience. I can remember walking to kindergarten with tears in my eyes. As I walked to school, the tears would roll down my face, and I could not understand the feelings of anger and resentment stirring inside me. As a child I wasn't always sure why my parents, who claimed to love me, chose to spank me. This caused some confusion for me especially when the spanking was followed by a hug and such concern. Why, I thought, do my parents do this? I don't recall thinking this was good for me or that I was glad my parents were doing it.

Twenty five years later, I find myself the mother of a beautiful 5 year old daughter. I can remember when she was a toddler and I could not very easily convince her or get...

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