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From: pickle@nmtvax.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.politics
Subject: Re: Re: corporal punishment in schools (
Message-ID: <760@nmtvax.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 12-Sep-85 18:41:45 EDT
Article-I.D.: nmtvax.760
Posted: Thu Sep 12 18:41:45 1985
Date-Received: Mon, 16-Sep-85 00:19:30 EDT
References: <1075@sphinx.UUCP> <7800422@inmet.UUCP> <>
Reply-To: pickle@nmtvax.UUCP (Patrick Madden)
Organization: New Mexico Tech, Socorro
Lines: 42

In article <> joel@peora.UUCP (Joel Upchurch) writes:
>        I also think that it is foolish to try and reason with a small
>        child.  They  are  not  miniature  adults and to try and treat
>        them as such is a big  mistake.  You  might  as  well  try  to
>        reason  with  a puppy to housebreak it.
   I'm afraid I have to disagree on this: while kids are not as "mature"
(and I use the term loosely) as (some) adults, they tend to be smarter
than they get credit for.  Treating kids like pets (i. e. puppies) can
turn them into animals.
   Of the kids I know (I'll include myself), behavior seems to be directly
related to the level of conversation they have with their parents.
I can discuss anything at anytime with my parents, and it has helped me
a lot.  Many times my parents kept me from making big mistakes.
   Kids who can't talk to their parents have no one to turn to when they
have problems.  When someone with little experience is facing a problem,
the wrong decision is not unlikely. (PROOF, PROOF, I hear them cry!)
   To illistrate my point, I'll bring up the story of a kid I know.
Fritz (not his real name) was a friend of a friend of mine in High School.
I was going to a movie with this friend, and Fritz was invited too.
We stopped at his house to pick him up, and on the way out, Fritz said
to his father "Dad--I'm going to a movie, I'll be back around 9:30".
His father didn't acknowledge him.
   Fritz is a really nice guy.  He is funny, intellegent, and a pretty
good person all around.  That's why it surprised me when he stole a truck
and a bunch of guns and headed up towards Canada.  He was stopped 
by border guard who thought that automatic weapons in the back of a pickup
was suspicious.
   My point is that Fritz might not have done this if his parents talked
to him.  His home situation was, and still is, "oh yeah--you live here
too.  Are we related or something?".  I think it's never too early to show
someone you care about them or let them know that you are willing to help
if they need it.  Out of this springs love, respect, and (to get back to
the main point) good behavior.
   Have I rambled on enough?  I guess so....  Flames welcome, but don't
expect to change my mind on this.

Patrick H. Madden | "Talking out of turn,
New Mexico Tech   |  Shot to pieces,
Box 2244          |  When will I learn?"
Socorro, NM 87801 |
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