THE EDITOR, Sir:
SOMETIME AGO you published a letter from a 'Concerned Retired Jamaican Teacher', who stated that "primary school children should be whipped when they are rude". The writer referred to King Solomon's idea of not sparing the rod.
You also published my letter in response condemning the beating of children.
I have to write again to ask parents and teachers not to beat children. Other forms of punishment should be considered. Furthermore, it is cruel to inflict pain. How can we denounce violence on one hand and then on the other hand carry it out on a child?
Parents and teachers need to talk to these children and furthermore we have psychiatrists and psychologists nowadays who are trained to help. We could be beating children who are suffering from unknown illnesses or they could well be victims of sexual or other forms of abuse.
Not all persons who were beaten in the old days turned out to be good citizens. Some are still angry with themselves, their families and society. Yes, Solomon was wise but he was not God, and was therefore capable of making mistakes.
Stop the violence Stop beating children now.
I am, etc.,
THELMA SMITH
St. Mary
