Misguided Methods for Demanding Respect

There is a fine line between respect born of honor and position and that derived from disciplinary actions. The former is more likely to last a lifetime, where the latter often turns to hate, resentment and torn relationships.

I recently came across a blog where the author, Geoff Oldfather, wrote about an incident in Florida where a 16 year old girl punched her father in the face when he attempted to spank her. If ever someone wanted a controversial issue over which to argue, this is definitely one of them.

To make matters even more complicated, the teen has been charged with misdemeanor domestic battery. The incident reportedly happened as a result of a fight between father and daughter over something being broken.

Now, to make things clear, I am not opposed to spanking a child. I learned much in my younger years from this form of discipline and used it on my own children when they were too young to understand larger consequences.

Where my view of this issue changes is when we examine the age of the girl. At 16 years old, she is much too old to be spanked as a form of punishment. What fathers may fail to understand is that a young woman of that age does not view spanking as punishment, but rather humiliation and abuse. It does not generate or build on respect, but instead resentment and disdain.

Legal authorities in this situation need to re-examine their approach with this young girl and with the father that is parenting her. If spanking is the only form of parenting he understands, he needs help. The situation will not improve without it.