Peterson’s wrong on parenting

It’s sad that the drivel of Jordan Peterson’s excerpt from 12 Rules for Life gets published, when so much great writing can’t find a publisher today. It’s hardly worth commenting on; however, it may leave young parents who read it dangerously misinformed.

As an academic, Peterson should be aware of the many volumes of peer-reviewed studies on the harmful effects of some types of discipline on young children. For example, corporal punishment is associated with later aggression and anti-social behaviour, mental health problems and lower intellectual achievement.

Peterson thinks a two-year-old would have been much better off if he, the adult, had “picked him bodily off the playground structure, and (thrown) him 30 feet down the field.”

No, this toddler would not have turned out better. He would have learned what every child learns who is subjected to harsh punishment and physical violence. He would have formed the mistaken belief that it’s OK to be harsh and violent toward others and that it makes you feel more powerful.

I thank the stars that I met my children’s occasional meltdowns with compassion, and that as a result I have given the world two more adults who are kind, considerate and capable and wouldn’t dream of hurting another person.

Eva Schacherl, Ottawa