In this book, Philip Greven charts the dire effects of corporeal punishment on private and public life in America. The author, a history professor at Rutgers, quotes from the experiences and writings of religious individuals who were taught discipline in the home through the use of physical force. They include John and Charles Wesley, Jonathan Edwards, Benjamin Spock, Billy Graham, and Oral Roberts. The author points out that although Proverbs in the Old Testament provided justification for the use of the rod, neither Jesus nor Paul ever advocated the physical punishment of children. For them love is preferable to fear in understanding God and humankind.
What happens to boys and girls whose basic identity is assaulted by painful blows and abusive words? They often suffer consequences such as depression, rage, paranoia, or apathy. Greven wonders whether America's love of authoritarianism, the natural penchant for violence, and the apocalyptic fears about the end of the world are not rooted in the Judeo-Christian understanding of punishing children. The author advocates non-violent methods of child-rearing and suggests that parents use alternatives to spanking such as reasoning, discussion, and loving example. In this passionately argued book, Philip Greven makes it clear that all levels of violence against children have long term, harmful, and hurtful consequences.