The Guilty Parent

Remember not too long ago, when Madlyn Primoff, the lawyer from NY, dropped her two children off on the side of the road in White Plains? Madlyn was arrested and charged with child endangerment, and was temporarily barred from living with or speaking to her children.

Everyone was talking about this event and some women were up in arms, causing a heated debate.

What do I think? I know back in the day when I was younger, about 25 years ago, my parents threatened to do this all the time, and I have no doubt that they would have done it, had my brothers and I not stopped BS-ing in the back seat. My parents were serious! We had the fear of God put into us by them, which made us behave!

I think the government, both local and federal, are too far in our business about what goes on in our homes, and now they are paying for it with over-flowing jails. The Bureau of Justice shows that on June 30, 2008, 2,310,984 prisoners were held in federal or state prisons or in local jails. I personally think that is very telling! In 1995, the Bureau reported that in the 5 years between censuses (1990-1995), prison construction nearly kept pace with prison population growth. Between 1990 and 1995, State and Federal governments added 213 prisons and more than 280,000 prison beds — representing a 41% increase in prison capacity. In 1995, State prisons were on average operating at 4% above rated capacity and Federal prisons at 25% above capacity. At mid-1995 about 1 in 4 State correctional facilities were under court order or consent decree to limit population or to address specific conditions.

In 1980, there were 1,842,100  in the correctional population. In 2007 – a staggering 7,328,200! See the numbers here. Don’t you think that says something?!

I’m not saying we should be beating our children and leaving them emotionally and physically scarred for life, but a little smack on the butt never hurt anyone. I personally survived countless beatings and they have made me the upstanding citizen I am today! I don’t have a record; I go to work every day; I have morals and principles. I learned these things from my parents, who I thought were harsh when I was growing up, but now I thank them.

Ever heard of spare the rod, spoil the child? There are numerous verses in The Bible that tell us that we are to raise our children properly, which means to instill values into them so that they will not lie, cheat, steal, and that they will honor their parents. Here’s one such verse:

Withhold not correction from a child: for if thou striketh him with a rod he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with a rod, and deliver his soul from hell.” (Proverbs 23:13-14)

I personally have had CPS called on me 3 times when I was younger. These calls were made out of spite and by people who were being vindictive, so nothing came out of them, but it’s a horrible thing for someone to go through, no matter whether it’s warranted or not! As for raising my children, I do what I can, I discipline as needed (which does not include beatings – they barely ever get spanked), and I only pray that I will do a good job as a parent and that they will grow up to be good people.

But, I’m also a “rebel” who believes the government is already too far involved in our lives and definitely doesn’t need to be involved in my child-rearing.

Your thoughts?

Thank you for coming back! Please take a minute to tell me how I can improve your experience here by contacting me. Thank you for being a loyal reader!