gone too far

Originally posted on September 16, 2009 – by Andre Piet

Goldschmeding

In recent weeks controversy has arisen following various sermons by the evangelical preacher Gertjan Goldschmeding. In these he advocated what is called the pedagogical smack, partly on the basis of statements in the book of Proverbs. There we read, for example, “He who spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him early” (13:24). The authorities are investigating whether Goldschmeding can be charged with incitement. After all, according to the law, even the corrective smack is nowadays prohibited.

gone too far

But who has really gone too far here? Minister Donner, when asked, did not deny the educational usefulness of the corrective smack. But in order to prevent abuse (an estimated 80,000 children in the Netherlands are abused each year), this educational instrument has now been prohibited by law. So out of fear of misuse, an evidently useful instrument is forbidden. By the same line of reasoning one could also prohibit the possession and use of knives. Or even that of a ballpoint pen. For with that too one can kill someone.

pleonasm

The amusing thing is that our word ‘pedagogical’ is derived from a Greek word that originally means ‘to strike’ (or ‘to hit’) (1). A ‘pedagogical smack’, by its derivation, seems to be a pleonasm. Something like wet water. In upbringing and training it is sometimes important that behavior is enforced. ‘He who will not hear must feel’ is the simple idea behind effective upbringing. Now ‘to feel’ in this context does not necessarily mean physical pain. By, for example, not giving children pocket money or sending them to bed early, one can also let them ‘feel’ where the boundaries lie. This is often even experienced as more painful than a firm smack. Child abuse therefore certainly does not only take place physically. One can abuse a child by, for example, scolding, humiliating or ignoring them. In contrast to a deserved spanking that is forgotten after five minutes, the pain of that can remain for a lifetime.

a gracious smack

Good parenting requires much wisdom. Every parent knows that. Sometimes, with immediate correction, one well-felt smack on “the soft cushions” can be exceptionally effective and beneficial. And in fact also much more ‘gracious’ than, for example, keeping a child indoors in the evening for a week as punishment. By an absurd prohibition on the corrective smack, the authorities try to take away from parents, who love their children and draw from biblical wisdom, a proven educational tool.

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Footnote
(1) ‘paio’, Strong 3817, e.g. in Matthew 26:68 (“Prophesy! Who is he that struck You?”)

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