Opinion | Your Say

Tough Love

'Spare the rod and spoil the child', But is it true?

  • Gulf News
  • Published: 17:22 November 1, 2009

Play areas
  • Image Credit: Supplied
  • Play areas: When out in public, playgrounds hold the greatest amount of germs than any other area -including lavatories. Most contain salmonella, Shigella, hepatitis A and noroviruses (a group of viruses that cause gastroenteritis), in people. For example the Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is found in the stool (faeces) of a person who has hepatitis A. The virus is spread most commonly when people put food or objects contaminated with stool containing HAV into their mouths. You can become infected with HAV if you eat food prepared by someone who does not wash his or her hands well after using the bathroom or changing a diaper.

Everyone knows the saying “Spare the rod and spoil the child”. But is it true? Do you spank your child if they misbehave? Or do you think physical discipline is a form of abuse?

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