mem (11/16/82)
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Yesterday, there was a feature on National Public Radio's "All
Things Considered" program, about a 23 month old boy who wouldn't
say "I'm sorry" to another child. His father (without anger,
according to his statement) spanked the boy with a stick for
two hours (in an effort to make the child apologize),
until he noticed that the child was "pale" and no longer breathing
("Did he try to make you stop," asked a local authority. "I
asked him if he wanted another spanking. He said 'No'," said
the father). When intraveneous injections were attempted,
the observation was made that there was no blood in the boy's
body. It had all, all, come out through the boy's buttocks,
which were no longer covered with skin and were "mushy".
Adults are the caretakers of children. We are their protectors,
rulers, judges, guardians, teachers. They look up to us,
there IS no one else. You have to understand the position
they are in; saying to yourself "I've been through it" is NOT
enough.
I implore you, those of you who have read this far: consider
and UNDERSTAND what the state of childhood is. It ought to
be a marvelous time; there should be a special communion
between child and adult, an absolute guarantee on one side
and an absolute faith on the other. The faith can come from
each child. The guarantee has to come from the adult community.
Mark E. Mallett