During a discussion on the Pope's recent comments about spanking children, Ainsley Earhardt dismissed the science on effective child discipline to suggest that her father's "terrifying" spankings made her a better person.
On this morning's Fox & Friends, sweet lil Southern Christian gal Ainsley Earhardt read Pope Francis' recent statement about how a father, who didn't hit his son's face when he beat him, was upholding the child's dignity. She asked her guests, both clinicians, if "it's ever OK to spank your children."
Psychotherapist Tom Kirsting believes that spanking, if done in a "light" way which does not hurt the child, is an effective way to teach the child about the negative consequences of their actions. Earhardt responded "exactly."
In responding to her question of whether he disagrees with the Pope, clinical psychologist Dr. Jonathan Fader, said that more than disagreeing with the Pope, he disagrees with spanking. He then said a bad word when he asserted that "we know from science that spanking is not an effective way discipline to, to teach your kids..."
Earhardt was incredulous: "What do you mean that we know because of science, I mean I know from experience that I was terrified of my father, that I would get a spanking. I remember asking him one time 'if I run away what will y'all do to me' and he said you'll get a spanking. I never did it because I was terrified of it. I mean it kept me from doing wrong."
Fader explained that while that might have worked for her, that's not how he rolls because he wants his kids to love him and not be terrified of him. Earhardt interject that she knows that her father loves her and she loves him but she "didn't want to disappoint him." He noted that the studies are not about her because she "worked out great" but spanking isn't always effective.
Science denying wall of genius Earhardt referenced a kid who recently attacked his teacher - a big deal for Fox as it promoted the Fox/right wing meme of lawless black kids running amok in lawless public schools. She asked if his behavior was an effect of no home discipline. Kirsting said that it could be related to a number of factors including the child having been a victim of extreme corporal punishment.
It's more than ironic that Earhardt would be promoting the power of fear on a network that thrives on fear mongering. And it's more than a coincidence that she would support the concept of patriarchal punishment which is big with Fox's bible believing audience. I guess it's all about that base!
BTW, Roger Ailes is viewed as a father figure at Fox News. Wonder how he gets his Fox daughters to fear him!
Oh I almost forgot, you people actually want to call it “RIGHTS”!
Research done in dozens of countries in multiple universities links spanking to poor emotional, educational and health outcomes. Yet many people deny its bad effects and say, “I was spanked and I turned out OK.” How do you know if you might have turned out better if you hadn’t been spanked? It’s hard for us to think about people who loved us hurting us. See what children think about spanking in the bookThis Hurts Me More Than It Hurts You: In Words and Pictures Children Share How Spanking Hurts and What To Do Instead.