It was fun to be the moderator for the BLANK PAGE.

I completely agree. There are some parents that had abusive childhoods and they discipline their children that way, without determining whether spankings are the best punishments. I know some kids that don’t respond to spankings, so you have to choose the right plan of action and start when the child is young. If you never spank your child and you decide to start when they are 11 or 12, it probably won’t work. Parents must be consistent.

The “sanctions, problems, and blockades” began at the time of Iran’s revolution 30-ish years ago when your government kicked us out rather definitively. I’m not sure it’s fair to blame us for the ensuing ill feelings. Before then, we had close relations, by which of course I mean that you tolerated the Shah we helpfully installed, until you didn’t anymore.

I understand the technical know-how, but since you’re producing the same things, aren’t you competitors as much as partners? More seriously, it’s disturbing to learn that your fervent support of Russia’s political and strategic and moral claims seems only to be based on your shared interest in oil and gas extraction, and money extraction from buyers of oil and gas. That’s a pragmatic reason to make common cause with them, but not a philosophical or moral case to agree with their actions, or a reason to “respect” them. I would respect Russia more if it were not ruled by gangsters and thugs and goons who routinely murder journalists and expatriates who say inconvenient things. If I understand you, you’re saying that as long as they help you extract your resources, they can do no wrong. That’s a cynical view. Fear and obedience are not respect.

Might absolutely does NOT make right. It just makes might. If you believe might makes right, then it’s the LAST step in politics. Nothing more to discuss. But why then do you grumble about America’s “military ambitions?” We’re mighty, so we’re right. And why should we respect Russia? We’re much mightier. Case closed, we win, thank you.

Russia may strike you as the guarantor of “stability, peace, and security.” The people of Eastern Europe who recently escaped rule by Russia hold a rather different opinion. “Oppression, poverty, and terror” would be their description of 50-ish years in a bear hug.

I have to agree with you that there is a difference between spanking and abuse. Fortunately my brother was able to remember how awful it was in our home and spankings are very rare for his children but they will happen. My nephew is a willful boy that does not always listen. I’ve seen him get a little pop on the behind that was quite harmless but well deserved. You are quite correct that there are some children that will not respond to a talking to or restriction.

My brother’s children are very well behaved and respectful of adults and in no way are abused. However, I would caution parents that have come from truly abusive homes that have children to be attentive concerning how disciplinary actions are administered.

I agree with you concerning pririties. I obeyed my parents and would never think of acting up in public. Some parents are different. My cousin’s friend has a daughter and she is extremely spoiled. She whines and cries and has little tamptruns. Her mother just talks to her like she is a little adult, the child is three or four years old. I will not say that just because someone did or did not spank their children they will grow up to be well adjusted. My father could just look at me and I would stop whatever I was doing.

I have friends whose children used to be widely known as “the little whiners” because their parents didn’t believe in physical punishment. Now they are grown and they are well-adjusted, warm, wonderful people.

I think the ultimate goal should be to create socially well-adjusted, humane,autonomous adults. The best way to do that is to be a mature, well-adjusted, humane adult, and to choose a father who will be, too.

Canada

Yup, teenage years are inevitably absolute unshirted nightmarish hell. It’s part of the job description, literally. In the course of forming one’s personality, one bitterly rejects one’s parents–everything about them. Makes no difference how loving, understanding, liberal, informed, concerned, indulgent the parents are; to a teenager, they’re the worst monsters ever. The play is written, and that’s their role. It’s heartbreaking.

It seems like a force of nature, hard-wired in the DNA. I wonder if it’s the same in other cultures.