The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-09-20
AS TO sPARING THE ROD.


Any woman who does not know how to
rear her children can gain the desired in
formation from a careful reading of certain
home magazines, whose young male edi-
tors make speciality of advice to mothers.
They can also gain a large amount of use
full knowledge on the subject by perusal of
the mothers column" found In a number
of enterprising newspapers, which, with
true journalistic spirit, strive to do good
in every possible way. The Journal, not
being mother. and having no young man
of domestic turn of mind upon its staff.
does not venture into this field, but for its
own enlightenment occasionally browses
around the edges. Upon most points dis
cussed it would not be SO bold as to adj
vance opinion, but now and then finds a
phase of the subject within its comprehen-
sion, and views expressed from which it is
obliged to dissent. though always with diff
fidence. Here. for instance, is a bit of adj
vice offered by one of the expert syndicate
writer's whose lucubrations illuminate the
mothers departments of several es-
teemed contemporaries: eff you must whip
your Children he says Cor is 1t she?), do
AAc~
that warrants it. Then you will know that
the punishment is not administered in tenn
per, and the child will be more impressed
by the Importance of the ceremony" Not
being a mother, the Journal advances its
views with hesitation, but, nevertheless, is
firm in the belief that If a child is to be
whipped it must be whipped promptly.
While the iron is hot. so to speak. The
woman who see her offspring offend,
and. instead of Furnishing instantly, post
pones the penalty is an everyday person:
but, as a rule. the postponement is indef-
mite. and in reality the punishment is never
inflicted. The woman who puts it off till
next day of set purpose, and then in cold
blood deliberately applies her slipper or q
switch to the person of her child is not the
mother of song and story and sweet mem
DRY. The unfortunate victim of her stern
discipline cherishes resentment, and in the
bitterness of his soul resolves to repeat the
forbidden act, whatever it may be, at the
first opportunity He usually carries out
his resolve, and the punishment goes for
worse than naught Most children do need
spanking now and then. sentimental
the contrary notwithstanding; but the dis
cipline loses its effect If not administered
at once. The naughty boy who is snatched
up soon as his naughtiness is discovered
and swiftly and judiciously trounced is
likely to remember not only the trouncing
but the reason for 1t. and to refrain from
similar offense. The man is rare who. re-
membering the maternal switch and it's
prompt application, will say that he had
lick amiss. The mother who makes the
punishment quickly follow the deed may
be an impulsive creature who weeps with
the child and coddles after the slipper is
withdrawn. but she lis remembered with
love and reverence to the latest day of her
sons life. Her punishments are recognized
even by the youthful sufferer as being
given in kindness, while the delayed dis
cipline recommended by the writer quoted
is recalled with wholly different feelings,
and its perpetrator loses in love and conf
dence more than she gains in obedience.
These views as to the efficacy of the rod
and the time of its application are in such
opposition to the modern rules for juvenile
training which break into the regulation
'horne department that they will meet
with disapproval in those quarters, but the
Journal feels a measure of security in the
belief that the average mother will sustain
it by spanking her offspring on the instant
she catches the little rascals in mischief.
The average mother is not scientific, but
she has something of the wisdom of Solo
mon, nevertheless. and he never advised
sparing the rod until the next day.