Last Updated: Wednesday, March 17, 2010 : 10:56 PM
Home / Commentary _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Commentary
Morris and Wickham should apologise
Published on: 11/19/2009.
I WAS TRULY APPALLED when I read the comments attributed to Robert "Bobby" Morris and then supported by Peter Wickham in his column People And Things on Wednesday, November 11.
Wickham is of the view that since higher education has been made more available to a larger number of people in Barbados, the younger generation better appreciates the potential harm corporal punishment can do and are more aware of alternatives. Hence, there is a fall of about 15 percentage points since his poll was conducted in 2004 to determine those Barbadians who supported flogging in schools. What a load of rubbish from an "educated" man.
This society continues to find excuses to support and tolerate the folly of our young people.
I would like both persons mentioned to refrain from suggesting that only "uneducated" people use corporal punishment as a deterrent to indiscipline. The "uneducated" of yesteryear produced disciplined, respected leaders of whom we are all proud. Their villages and communities were safer places in which to live. Most of them used the scriptures as their guide. The rod was not spared thus the child was not spoilt.
When will we wake up and see what is going on and stop talking nonsense about finding "alternatives"?
In the days when the "uneducated" were in charge of the homes and schools, discipline prevailed. All I keep hearing is "alternatives" yet I am waiting to see how these will be reinforced when the child refuses to go to his or her room or remain after school in detention or stay at home when suspended. What then?
A good hiding is necessary at times. The message is sent and received. Indiscipline will not be tolerated. Nowadays we simply breathe hot air and the youth know it.
Morris and Wickham should apologise for uttering comments which would suggest that our foreparents were "uneducated", especially during the month in which we are celebrating our Nation's heritage which was built by many of them.
Though "uneducated" they were; common sense was common then.
- MARK A THOMPSON
8 comment found!
: 11/23/2009
Very few children in Barbados are lashed today .This is said because many many parents say they will not beat their children because they do not wish to happen to them what their parents before did . Several children today do as they please . The parents and adults tell you this is the young people world so they cannot do them any thing .Some tell you the bible prophesy is being full filled , children getting children and the whole "story". We do not discipline our children in any way form or fashion and expect miracles . We continue to blame the ages old slavery talk .We blame our parents and their parents .The ball is in our court to make a difference .Since they were wrong and we supposedly know better we should be able to fix the problems of indiscipline in our work places ,our schools and country. No lotta long talk .
No Licks Please! : 11/23/2009
The concept of flogging needs no further debate. Flogging (not abuse) has worked in the past and will work in the future. You are making an assumption when you stated "that the majority of parents lick their children as a "quick fix". How many homes were you privilege to live in to witness this behavior. You might want to present facts instead of making such a broad statement. I agree that we do have problems with some of our young parents who need to be taught themselves but you just can't judge others based on them. Also,you might happened to be one of the fortunate few who did not get licks for whatever reason. But I personally was glad that I got some because of my personality as child. If not, I am not sure where I would be today. Another thing I would like to stress and it is this, you might want to discuss this with God our creator. He is the One that said that children should be flogged and neither you nor I have the wisdom to question Him.
no Licks please : 11/22/2009
The concept of flogging is worth debating.
Mother and Father can beat their little children on the assumption that parents know what is best.
The problem in Barbados is that the majority of parents uses licks as a "quick fix" so they don't have to waste time counselling their children.
Then these children go to school and Teachers repeat the methodology of the parents.
I am almost 60 years old and did not get "licks".
I guess I must be a vagabond who raised vagabonds and don't know.
Wisdom : 11/21/2009
To Morris and Wickham I would like to reiterate what these bloggers said and would like to add that the great Solomon the son of King David said "that too much learning can be a dangerous thing". Both of you ought to be ashame to suggest that our foreparents were uneducated and that was the reason for them spanking their children. For the most part, if these so-called uneducated foreparents did not work the land to feed and clothe your parents or the ones before them, you might not have been here writing this nonsense. We are all standing on their shoulders and hope that by raising our children to respect their values that they one day can stand on ours.
Morris & Wickham Should apologize : 11/20/2009
We pride ourselves that we are an independent nation. Yet from time to time we just sit and copy everything from north America. We imitate how they speak, and now they behaviour. Can't we see that there is a uniqueness about Barbadians? Please let us continue in this uniqueness and stop this copy cat behaviour. This whole can't beat children,is utter nonsense.Why don't we get back to sending and bringing our children to Sunday school, and forget the brand name clothes, and trying to catch up with the Joneses children.I see nothing wrong in giving a child a stern warning, and lashing if necessary.
Morris /wickham classism : 11/19/2009
Sheer common sense propelled our parents and grand parents .They made decisions that helped to shape this Barbados the same Barbados that we live in . Must parents have a master s or two degrees to choose the method od discipline for THEIR child ? Lashing is something only the un and under educated do? A good cut ass now and again will put some of these children right .Anyone and i mean anyone who has their children welfare at heart and the island as a whole will discipline their children.Not leaving it up to the state.It is not the so called illiterate or those persons in the lower echelons of the society that discipline their children by the strap .Those persons in the so called middle class talk and "reason" and their children still do as they please .No wonder most of them choose universities abroad to continue their ways .Some of them were probably not disciplined by the rod and still are worse off with the high drug and alcohol and loose sexual behaviours than the "underprivileged" children .Money can do a lot of things .It can mask a lot of faults for a time.We like to place persons in categories and assume the worse about them .
Morris and Wickham should apologise : 11/19/2009
Great letter. Where I live in Canada the school system, is in chaos. The reason is the alternative system and it has failed, children do what and when they want,if teachers step in they will more than likely get sued. Yes we have a great system here in Canada, it helps our children to fail and keep failing
: 11/19/2009
OOH..suddenly got really cold in here!
TODAY'S CARTOONS
3/15/2010
Most Emailed Stories
Thompson's shuffle(3/10/2010)In honour of my dad(3/14/2010)2 BARRED(3/16/2010)Chaderton-Shaw 'forced out'(3/16/2010)Husbands back on top with Senate pick(3/11/2010)Long ride(3/12/2010)PSV OFF DAY(3/14/2010)TOO RUDE!(3/14/2010)Mottley calls for Clico Memorandum(3/16/2010)PM's Cabinet reshuffle speech(3/10/2010)
Do you think UWI should reduce its intake of students?
 |