Discipline or Abuse: Adrian Peterson's situation
Proverbs 13:24 He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him. “ Got him in nuts once I noticed. But I felt so bad, n I’m all tearing that butt up when needed !" ~Allstar Football player Adrian Peterson explaining the wounds his 4 yr old son received This past week, one of the most popular NFL players, Adrian Peterson, was arrested for child abuse. His 4 yr old son, was noted to have lacerations and bruises to all of his extremities as well as his genital area. The response among football fans was varied. Some were appalled while others noted that using a "switch" for discipline, is common practice in particular cultures. The basic question in this situation is whether this episode represents severe discipline that is culturally defined or whether it represents abuse. I want to share a couple of principles that we need to consider before we can understand what is happening in this situation: 1. Abuse is defined