Japan bans the corporal punishment of children (11)

2 March, 2020

Dear Obinna. Thanks also for your clarification and sharing your thoughts and personal experience that is very valuable but as many other personal anecdotes is very subjective.

One special thing - among others - that I remember from my father was that he never raised his hand to hit me beyond his sweetness in his way of communication. The only time I remember (possibly my behaviour challenged his patience) was one that he started running me around a table and after a few seconds we both ended up laughing at the situation.

Again, it is another sensitive experience at least for me but very personal and this kind of experiences must not guide or inspire public policies that need to include most of the people, in this case children.

In my opinion violence always generates more violence and when it comes from parents hurts too much.

I would rather prefer children respect norms and learn values based on respect instead of fear.

Best regards and thanks again,

Irene

CHIFA profile: Irene Melamed is a pediatrician and adolescent medicine specialist. Master in Bioethics and Law, University of Barcelona. Member of the Southern Cone Initiative on Child's rights. Professor of Bioethics. Vice-president of the Society for Comprehensive Adolescent Health, SASIA, Argentina 2015-2018. dramelamed AT gmail.com She is a CHIFA Country Representative for Argentina http://www.hifa.org/support/members/irene-0