This Proverb says, “Do not hold back discipline from the child, although you beat him with the rod, he will not die. You shall beat him with the rod, and deliver his soul from Sheol.” When I grew up in the 1950s, parents would punish their children’s wrongdoing by spanking them. Children were motivated to change their behavior because they feared the pain of being spanked. They were well motivated to change and be obedient to their parents.
However, today spankings are rare. Parents have moved away from physically disciplining children. Society has taken the position that physical spankings are child abuse. While it is true that excessive physical discipline can become child abuse, properly metered spankings are not child abuse. They are very effective in removing bad behavior from a child.
Unfortunately, bad behavior in a child which is unchecked will result in a child becoming a bad adult. A child who has not learned to control his or her behavior will not be motivated to live properly as an adult. They may be more inclined to turn to crime and drugs.
I believe that today we are seeing the results of failing to discipline children. Crime and drugs have dramatically increased. Lawlessness is more common. Society has suffered as a result of this deterioration.
