| Title: A New Day
| 10 Dec 2009 12:53 am
|
| Reviewer: Buub (Anonymous)
| [Report This]
|
Well I really like the story :D:D Its really good :D but what I don't understand is this constant spanking, especially on someone that old. I've read it in a lot of fics and I just don't get it... I mean there are tons of other punishments, why use a corporal one, and on an abuse child at that? Perhaps its a cultural thing, in Sweden corporal punishments are forbidden by law. which I support, I don't really get spanking. but I guess everyone is different. and I do get that its not mean or overly hurtful or anything. I just believe in other means than pain and shame to get children to behave :S But now I'm just rambling... great fic, keep it up ^^
Author's Response: In the US, while it is frowned upon as a regular response to aberant behavior on the child's part, it is not illegal. Severus had clearly laid out the rules as to when a spanking was to be expected. Harry broke the rules. Simple as that. I don't believe in spanking a child for every will he, nil he bit of rule breaking, nor do I condone excessive spanking when it is correctly applied. A few swats normally does the trick; and to be honest - from my own childhood - it wasn't the swats I remember, it was the waiting for them. Of course it doesn't deter a damn thing if the child does not understand from the start why they have received this action, and the parent in question should never swat in anger and always reassure the child afterwards that they are loved, that that is the end of the matter and that the transgression is forgiven and forgotton and do they understand now why what they did was the wrong course of action to take?
I readily admit that this attitude is rarely taken in societies and that abuse is widespread - as is permissiveness and parents being scared of their children reporting them to the authorities which leads to a lot of children, at least in the US, being unaware of limits to correct societal behavioral norms.
Where I grew up, the teachers were still allowed corporal punishment in the school at their discretion. This was a mandate by the parents. Trust me, when I tell you, that we respected the authority of our teachers, and if a teacher decided that a student's behavior in class warranted the punishment, it would be done in front of the class: Added embarrassment. It didn't happen often. Now, this would never be condoned now, and is reflected in our teachers being unable to maintain proper classroom discipline and authority. Kids ride roughshod over them knowing that the worst they could receive is a detention.
But, you are right. A lot of stories include it as one of Severus' methods of handling Harry - probably because a lot of us older American writers wish we could put Harry over our own knees and beat some sense into his butt for doing some of the idiotic things he does! LOL!