What is the limits for punishment

[vanda]

Last night on Queen Latifah's talk show, the subject was relatives who were concerned that their relatives went to far in disciplining their children. I know like most of you in this forum probably got a whipping for doing something wrong from time to time. But these mothers last night was sorta extreme. One mother's child was only fifteen months and she constanlt smacked her. Another guest said she would rather her child fear her than love her. All these women basically had one thing in common: pent up hostility and beating on their kids were they only way of venting. It made me so mad. My question is what could be so wrong you take it out on someone that came from you, and they are defenseless? Is it society's fault or what? Please give me some insight.