On our way in from getting Chinese food tonight Graham and I encountered a couple of our neighbours on our next-door-neighbour’s porch. They both said hi, and then the one who doesn’t live there screeched at her kid,
…if you don’t put your shoes on I’m going to beat your face!
The woman whose porch it was said sarcastically, “That’s nice!” It felt to me more like she made the sarcastic comment because she was embarrassed, not because she really objected. Her friend’s reaction was, “Well, that’s how it is.” Graham and I just went into the house, disgusted.
I don’t really think she means that she will literally beat her child’s face for running around the street barefoot, but that DOESN’T MAKE THAT KIND OF TALK OKAY. The way the parents on this street speak to their kids is becoming more and more disheartening. Some of these women seem intent on humiliating their kids in front of the neighbourhood.
I wonder if that kid thinks it’s weird and feels uncomfortable when he overhears parents speak lovingly and respectfully to their kids? I have a feeling that in their house, that’s what’s considered inappropriate.
I would never say something like that to my son. Never. Nor have I, or will I, raise a hand to him. If it’s called assault for an adult to hit another adult, I feel the same should apply to hitting children, whether the law agrees or not. (Apparently, legally, it’s o.k. to spank your child. Not in my book.)