Did you see Slumdog Millionaire? I have family near Mumbai--my American brother- and sister-in-law who have moved to Pune, India, due to work. Fingers crossed that I'll visit them there this year.
Maybe that's why I'm so fascinated (read: obsessed) with Slumdog. I was upset to read that 10-year-old Slumdog actor, the boy who played young Jamal in the movie, was beaten by his father.
According to The Sun: The boy, Azharuddin Ismail, had just returned to his slum neighborhood in Dharavi in Mumbai after his recent trip to Los Angeles. He was arguing with his father, and he wanted to go inside and rest. His dad wanted him to stay outside and talk. The boy refused to cooperate, and his dad kicked and beat Azharuddin. Onlookers were shocked.
His father apologized a few hours later.
My sister-in-law in Pune, India, tells me domestic violence is a lot more common in India than it is here. While kicking and beating a child is clearly wrong, stories like this remind me of why I don't spank my kids. It's too easy to fly off the handle.
I was spanked. I don't necessarily believe that spanking, when done appropriately, is wrong. But its not for me . (Again, beating and kicking anyone, especially a child, is clearly unnacceptable.). Spanking is a totally emotional event to me. So I do not spank, even though sometimes I feel that urge.
Does this news sadden you? I hope the boy is okay, and hopefully it is a wakeup call to his father, Mohammed, to change his habits and practice better anger management.
Of course, none of us think it's right to beat a child. But read here in Answers if other CafeMoms believe in spanking. What about you? Is spanking an okay punishment for some naughty behaviors?
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Comments 18
That's no way to welcome your child home. That father acted like a piece of crap.
Kicking and beating a child is not spanking. I really don't care to elaborate any further either - quite frankly, and it's nothing personal, I'm getting tired of defending the way I disciplined my kids when they were younger. My kids have grown into some very sweet-hearted, smart teens who confide in me, are close to me, have a lot of fun with me, and respect me at the same time. I must have done something right.
That's horrible. That poor kid.
I'm with you, I don't believe in spanking, either. I think it sends a very bad message. It seems to me that it says: "If you don't like someone's behaviour the way to deal with the situation is to hurt them."
I do not believe in nor do I condone physical violence in any way, shape, or form in order to discipline children. And whether spankers wish to admit it or not, it is indeed physical violence. Period.
It's a bad day when we have to hear of of abuse to children. No I don't spank my kids.
In many countries there are no laws to prevent child abuse. So sad.
Sadder still are the living conditions there for so many. It breaks my heart.
That is sad. What is worse is the son is possibly learning to do the same to his future children because his dad is modeling that behavior. I'll bet his dad also beats his mom in his presence.
Spanking is hard for some with abusive tendencies to use without going too far. Only the parent knows if it's in their heart to carry the spanking into a beating. For those parents, I commend their use of other forms of punishment.
For the rest who aren't prone to taking the spanking into a beating, spanking isn't something we enjoy or use to blow off steam. It's used as little as possible yet still get the important points across.
Dangerous behavior in very small children (such as running away when called, or reaching for hot things when told not to previously) require spanking. The rest of the time, most kids respond to a NO! and if not, to time-outs and later when they are older, groundings and loss of privledges.
It's my personal opinion a child doesn't need spanking once they understand the parent's language fully. When very young and still learning, actions speak louder than words. (or time outs)
I hope Azharuddin will grow to be a dad who uses his greater strength with restraint and love...not frustrated revenge.
It's sad that the abusive behavior displayed by his father is associated with spanking a child. A spanking is administered with love and caring for the child. It is usually the last resort. Most spanking parents take the time to speak with their child, explain the behavior, give them chance not to repeat what they did and if that doesn't work, they are spanked. They are not beaten, kicked or abused. I have found that children who are spanked are very well behaved and respectful. Spanking should in no way be compared with child abuse.
what happened to him is not a spanking. it's a beating. there is an old statement: You spank a child you beat a dog. there is a difference between a swat on the booty and kicking a child. simple as that. while not condoned but there is a difference
We can't even stop child abuse in our own country. How can we save the world?
It's so hard to comment on this. It is a whole other culture. There are places in this world where it is expect you beat your children, wife, sisters. Is it right? Not in my opinion. But it's not going to change.