We often mistakenly refer to ourselves as human beings. We have no qualms about beating women and children. Man, to a large extent, has remained an animal, and his animal aggression comes out every time he's angry. Children, by virtue of being small, weak and defenceless, are excellent 'soft' targets. Moreover, they 'belong'to their parents, who have given birth to them. So it follows that when angry with the child's mischief or indiscipline, setting aside all other means of communications and negotiations, we turn to the animal within us, and thrash the poor child, verbally and physically, with out hands, sticks and with belts. Our children cannot hit back, both because they are weak, and out of a sense of respect. So they bear the thrashings silently.
But what the child is learning all the time is that it is ok and correct to use violence, to solve any problem. He reasons that if my parent can use violence, then it cannot be wrong. The child learns to be violent from the parent, for the parent is the first teacher to the child. Also, every child harbours a deep injury and resentment against his parent, for having abused him. This, in turn, affects his future relationships in the world, with his friends, spouse and children. A child who is abused either turns extremenly violent himself, or goes to the other extreme, and becomes reserved or lenient. It's a shame that the Govt needs to pass laws to remind us that we're humans, and to rein in our animal instincts.
