Chapter 10 Post 1

In this chapter I was more interested in how I could relate to the material explained. As I read through the chapter I found myself constantly relating personal experiences to the concepts and comparing my personal experiences to what was being taught. This made reading the chapter much easier and I feel like I comprehended it much more.
When the book talked about physical punishment and psychological control I was very intrigued. It emphasized the use of corporal punishment specifically here in the United States and that the driving motivation to incorporate corporal punishment into our parenting is because our parents in previous generations received it and they feel it worked for them. In my opinion I think that corporal punishment is becoming less and less popular in the United States. The families that still use this type of punishment some-what keep it to themselves because the developed negative feelings towards it in our culture. I also think that in this day and age a parent can cross a fine line of corporal punishment and abuse in the eyes of the courts and public therefore parents either don't use it or they don't really talk about it. The book mentioned the effect that corporal punishment may have not only on the physical aspects of the child but also the psychological as well. It is believed that corporal punishment may also reap psychological control, which is an unintended consequence.
I can say from personal experience that a little bit of corporal punishment on very special, rare occasions it is appropriate. I do believe that there is a very fine line between punishment and abuse however and it mostly has to do with the intention of the parent. Is the parent punishing their child to help them learn or is the parent abusing their authoritative abilities and taking frustration out on the child? I also believe that corporal punishment has it's limits of what is appropriate and not. A parent should not be inflicting pain on the child in any place that could cause serious health issues (for example spanking a child any place other than their behind) or that the pain would be more than bearable for the child or painful to an adult. These are just my opinions and obviously I have not included everything. What do you believe constitutes abuse and corporal punishment?