Response to PTAVE's Letter About Child Abuse to Selected Arkansans

Recipient
Shirley A. Bondon
206 Talbot Place
Pine Bluff, Arkansas 71601

Telephone: (870) 534-0936

E-mail: shirley.bondon@us.army.mil

Response


  Shirley A. Bondon


  206 Talbot Place - Pine Bluff, Arkansas 71601 - (870) 534-0936 - shirley.bondon@us.army.mil


February 3, 2004

Dear Mr. Riak:

I am African-American woman, born and raised in Arkansas to parents from small rural communities. I was born into a culture that believes totally in the Bible; accepts the literal meaning of words and phrases written in the Bible and always attempts to apply the Word of God to our every day lives. Unfortunately, there have been times when this was very difficult.

As a young parent, I can remember discussing the Bible passage, "Spare the rod and spoil the child", with my mother. Although, we both believe in God and attempt to live our lives in a way that will be pleasing to the Lord, we had difficulty with this passage. In our hearts, we knew it could not mean that beating children was an acceptable form of discipline.

Although, I believed it wrong to beat children and refrained from doing so, it was not until I began to truly study the Bible for myself that I totally rejected the explanation of many and I came to understand the true meaning of the passage.

"Spare the rod" was not about beating your kids: it was about herding sheep. Although many choose to believe in the literal meanings of words in the bible, you will find that the writers often spoke in parables. They told stories and used common practices to explain difficult and complicated concepts. Spare the rod and spoil the child is part of a continuing theme about shepherds.

There are many references to shepherds throughout the Bible. You see Jesus himself was a shepherd, using his rod to provide comfort and protection to his people. In Psalms 23:4, we come across the rod again, ".. I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." The word translated as "rod" was the Hebrew word for a shepherd's stick. Ancient shepherds used this handy tool to reach over the flock and prod a wayward sheep back onto the path; to move brush and other obstacles out of the herd's way; and, in extreme cases, to grab an animal by the neck or leg and tug it out of danger. Just as the shepherd guides the sheep, Jesus often guides us, and we must guide and protect our children.

Beating a child is an unacceptable practice, either by a parent or an educator. Beating is not allowed in prisons, mental hospitals, or in the military. Beating pets and work animals is considered inhumane. Why then do we allow anyone to beat our children?

About 400,000 children are hit each year in public schools, according to the U.S. Department of Education, and those data don't even include private and parochial school incidents. While corporal punishment is banned in the schools of 28 states, it continues in Arkansas.

Like other punitive practices, it is a method of control. Because parents and educators are not prepared to provide the guidance needed, because they lack the patience needed, because they lack the skills needed, because they need to be in control, and because a few just don't care, they resort to hitting. It's fast. And, like the result Pavlov achieved with dogs, it temporarily modifies behavior, but without providing understanding. The benefits are short-lived while the harm is long-lasting. Typical results are: increased dropout rates, abusive relationships, lower financial attainment, low self-esteem and high crime rates.

Public schools are supposed to be incubators for teaching and learning. Somehow we must assure that the lessons are those that would be pleasing to the Lord and that they provide guidance to our children as they seek their way in the world.

Sincerely yours,

Shirley Bondon



Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding. -- Albert Einstein

Shirley Bondon, a wife and mother, is an advocate for public education. She has served as Regional Vice President for Arkansas State PTA. She is currently President of the PTA at Southeast Junior High in Pine Bluff. She is chair of the Citizens First Congress, a statewide grassroots coalition, focusing on social, economic, and environmental justice and a life-member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).


Return to Letter to Selected Arkansans at www.nospank.net/arinfo.htm
See photos of corporal punishment-related injuries at www.nospank.net/violation.pdf
Return to Project NoSpank Table of Contents at www.nospank.net


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