We often pride ourselves with this thing called ‘African Culture’. However, we find that it is often used as both a sword and a shield for a lot of unsavoury acts. Domestic violence and child abuse are some of the things that are masked beneath the veil of ‘African Culture’.
We share our experiences of how we dare not try some things with our parents, or else, we’d be beaten black and blue. Even when you listen to African American stand up comedians, you hear them talk about how parents ‘whoop the black out of you’.
This morning, Nigerian comedian, Wale Gates shared his personal experience on Twitter. There are a lot of questions raised. One of them is the quote that says ‘Spare the rod, spoil the child’. However, how does one find the balance between not sparing the rod and domestic violence? Is any and every kind of beating justifiable? Do you think parents who employ this mode foster more fear than respect in their children? Or do you believe that the end justifies the means, thus if a child turns out okay then the parents deserve a pat on the back for whatever method they used.
Please read the tweets below and share your thoughts
We share our experiences of how we dare not try some things with our parents, or else, we’d be beaten black and blue. Even when you listen to African American stand up comedians, you hear them talk about how parents ‘whoop the black out of you’.
This morning, Nigerian comedian, Wale Gates shared his personal experience on Twitter. There are a lot of questions raised. One of them is the quote that says ‘Spare the rod, spoil the child’. However, how does one find the balance between not sparing the rod and domestic violence? Is any and every kind of beating justifiable? Do you think parents who employ this mode foster more fear than respect in their children? Or do you believe that the end justifies the means, thus if a child turns out okay then the parents deserve a pat on the back for whatever method they used.
Please read the tweets below and share your thoughts
My simple question is:
Would you beat your child the same way your parents beat you?
If your answer is NO, then you know they were wrong.
— Wale Gates (@walegates) July 9, 2014
BTW my mum beat us too but she hardly crossed the line and by the time I was in SS1 SS2 it hardly happened I was too grown & strong anyway
— Wale Gates (@walegates) July 9, 2014
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