Spanking of Children Is Not Child Abuse

I cannot let the letter of Dr. John A. Nilsen (Sept. 5) go by without some sort of rebuttal.

I am sick unto death of these “experts” in child-rearing with their constant “mustn’t touch the baby” cries. He even rails against a good tongue-lashing. He praises Sweden for its anti-spanking law and claims all forms of punishment are “child abuse.”

Where or how are these children of today going to be disciplined or learn proper societal behavior? Are we to let the little monsters run amok? I have had 7-year-olds in supermarkets tell me to go commit the physical impossibility. I have been struck by 8-year-olds on buses to “get out of my way.”

I am not advocating child beating, but surely a judicious swat to a bottom of a toddler is more efficient that “sweet reason.” You cannot reason with a 3-year-old and get through. I’ve seen it too often--even in my grandnieces. Too many children of today are completely out of control, yet any attempt at controlling them is “child abuse.”

Frankly, the caning block at Eton turned out some of that nation’s best leaders. Perhaps we need to reverse the pendulum and bring back, if everything else fails, physical discipline in our homes and schools.

JOE BILLINGS

Los Angeles