When we were young and our mom beat us, we would wait for Dad to return so we could report her, thinking he would tell her not to beat us again. But no, our hopes were always dashed when he would ask, what did we do wrong? He knew Mom wouldn't just beat us for no reason. Even though he doesn't like to see us crying, he still wouldn't spare the rod when it comes to discipline. No good parent would enjoy flogging their children without a reason.
One way we get punished or beaten is to be locked inside so no one would come to beg on our behalf, and other times, we escape being beaten when neighbours come to our aid. Another way to discipline is by allowing people to scold us when they aren't around. These were what shaped us today and we are glad with the punishment and discipline.
Two days ago, my aunt was telling me how we've grown up now and do not need to be flogged anymore because we know right from wrong and she was glad for being strict towards us when we were very young because she has always been a believer of the passage in Proverbs 22 vs 6, same as me.
What I am saying, in essence, is that we wouldn't think of reporting our parents or suing them when we are punished or disciplined because it is unheard of in an African home. If we report them, aren't we still coming home to eat? Trust African mothers to make sure you get more punished for taking that step. They will tell you the story of your life which you've never heard of.
The only people we report to are our friends; we would share experiences of the punishment, and they, too, would share with us, and all we do is to tell ourselves sorry and that ended it.
Even though many times, we had thought they weren't good parents but wicked to us, still, we dare not say we want to sue them in court for guiding us on the right path, and those disciplines are what we come to appreciate when we grow up.
I have heard how children abroad (mostly UK and Canada) would call the police when their parents give them corporal punishment. This can never happen in an African setting. Many children who aren't disciplined well and who grew up in a worse state end up blaming their parents for not taking strict measures on them and will stay away completely from them. Those who grew up in a better way are forever grateful to their parents for the sacrifice they made to be who they are today.
I don't think it would be the best thing to do - giving children the right to sue their parents for disciplining them and trying to make them better except in such situations where the parents have turned monsters and only derived joy in inflicting pain on children, abusing and neglecting them, not performing their parental duties on them, only then would they be sued and charged to court to protect the kids.
Aside from that, disciplining a child is to train and mould them into becoming better individuals in society and for themselves.
If such had been in my time, I don't think I would be where I am today or be on good terms with my parents, it'd be a regrettable one if my mom died in the process without enjoying the close bond and it would be something I won't forgive myself for.
Imagine where my stubbornness wasn't curtailed or dealt with just because I keep charging them to court for every little punishment I get, the case would have been worse. I might end up not continuing my education, not giving regards to anyone, even elders, and my bad attitude would be left unchecked. What then would become of me today?
Thank God such a right wasn't given then, and I wouldn't vote for it to be implemented today because, in the process of disciplining, lives are being moulded and shaped. The purpose of discipline is to instil good morals and attitudes in the lives of children so they don't become a nuisance to themselves and to the society.
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