Did they say what type of injury the child suffered?
I got switched as a child. left red marks on me. Some left welts that would be gone in a few hours.
I have seen beatings that included open wounds and bleeding profusely. I have seen kids mauled.
But, people's agendas at times can skewer other peoples perceptions. So- when i read the footballer was confused and didnt believe his kid was injured... I have to ask... how severe was the child's injuries? a red mark? a welt? weeping contusions? They are all injuries.
Im just curious if this is being blown way out of proportion - or if this was a beating.
I learned two things with my kids.. A) they both needed physical discipline a few times growing up. B) I was not the best person to do it, and neither was anyhting that was in my hand.
Well ok, I learned one other thing: I learned to reserve 'spankings' for emergencies: like getting their attention. ie: my kid literally throwing a fit in the street and nearly got hit by a car. S smack in the face brought the little child's reality back into focus. Corporal punishment due to corporal abuses were immediate. Damn straight. You think the electric chair is gonna not happen because my kid was never taught pain hurts? and three, abusing the mother in the house either verbally or physically is immediate grounds for an immediate mouth pop. or butt swat.
But switches? oh no. I think that is excessive. much like caning a child. I think that punishment is more about emotionally connecting through shock circuitry to rewire their little hearts and minds- than about over powering them. ( no i do mean actual electric shocking- God please dont do that to your kid ).
nowadays my kids are both bigger than me. but i can use one finger to pull their shirts to me and lower their heads to my height, and give them a good earful. And at that age, language is a more powerful tool to interject your values, anyway.