Laura Ikeji wants the Nigerian government to ban parents from flogging their kids
Should there be a boundary when disciplining a child?
Fashion entrepreneur, Laura Ikeji called on the Nigerian government to ban the flogging of children in schools and Nigerians are having none of it.
Extending the same rule to parents, Laura said that any parent that beats their children badly should be made to face the law. According to her, kids are not animals that they should be flogged. She explained that kids should rather be spanked.
Dear Nigerian Government, can u make flogging children illegal in all schools?? I know the law was passed I think a few years ago but some schools still do it. Let’s enforce it, u flog a child u loose ur job and get charged to court. We re not animals. Kids re off limits.
— Laura Ikeji (@lauraikeji) August 22, 2019
Dear Nigerian Government, can we enforce that same rule on parents, u flog your child in a bad way, the child be taken from u. U don’t deserve to be a parent, illiteracy isn’t an excuse, ignorance isn’t an excuse either. I understand spanking but flogging should be illegal.
— Laura Ikeji (@lauraikeji) August 22, 2019
The Cambridge Dictionary describes flogging as beating someone very hard with a whip while it describes spanking as hitting a child with the hand.
The Nigerian culture allows that a child be disciplined. Infact, many youths have attributed the discipline of their parents to how well-behaved they are, although, they noted that parents, sometimes, go overboard with this.
However, generally, many people are saying No to Laura’s suggestion, noting that kids are best formed while they are still young. They also noted that not all children can be handled lightly.
For some, this rule can be applicable in schools because some times, Nigerian teachers can be extreme when punishing kids.
Read some responses here
My mum is regretting it today. Why? bcos she refused to discipline my younger brother when he was younger, misbehaving and all. She keeps defending him with the excuse that he is her only son blah blah blah. He is 20 now and out of control. Every day she is calling me to talk to him. To be honest I told her to deal with her only son cos she made him who he is. Too much petting and all. When you talk to him or spank him, he will tell you I’ll report to mum when she comes and when she comes he will report. And without trying to know what he did, she will pounce on you. Sometimes he will lie against you.
Today how far? Am sorry but no one will tell me how to discipline my kids, obviously I won’t kill them but if I have to use the rod to put them on the right path, I will do it. You will only cry. According to my aunt, wetin dem take dey pet pikin dey market. Even the Bible approves it. God himself chastise us. The Bible says who he loves he chastise. So why won’t I chastise mine when they do something wrong.
Flogging is a positive reinforcement but should have limits
My son was jumping on the bed few days ago, I came in and told him, nna, stop jumping on the bed, you will spoil it, you can jump on the ground. He looked at me and told me ‘mummy No’ if I jump on the ground my legs will pain me..he continued jumping on the bed, till I bought out my cane…they only obey ‘Mr DO Good’
Those DAT are saying flogging is necessary, Nigerian teacher have not flog your child before, I have experienced it, but the teacher and even the school saw hell DAT day. nine months journey is not nine days abeg
You are not serious. Even the bible says spare the rod and spoil the child. You prefer more adults in prison that is why you are writing this your rubbish letter. Take your western mentality out of our face. Nonsense!
Nigeria kids can’t cope without cane. I’m teaching as a corper, it is not easy. Once they see cane, they maintain orderliness. Once it’s not there, the noise is overwhelming. I don’t flog them tough but if one must use it, it should be for correction and not treating the child like an animal.
Spare the rod n spoil the child. U don’t whip Dem at home and u won’t at school……. We’re just spoiling this kids mehn…. Whip or flog a child when s/he is wrong. If it’s a correction that demands talking to, den u talk to the child
I don’t think I have seen a mum that loves her kids as much as my mum, but she didn’t spare us at all growing up. If you don’t checkmate these kids now that they are young bcos you don’t want them crying, be ready cos you will cry in the near future when they are out of control. Meanwhile, the beatings shouldn’t be done out of hate but discipline and genuine concern for both the child’s future and the society at large.
Nice one dear but some kids ee, needs small flogging n spanking. Naija no be UK
Flogging or spanking is a personal thing. Train your child the way that is suitable for you. The bible says “foolishness is bound in the life of a child but the rod of correction drives it away.” The rod here from my point of view could be physical flogging or talking to the child which depends largely on the age of the child. A child of 2yrs for example won’t understand talk or dialogue but a child from 5 to 8yrs and above will do.
There is difference between flogging and abusing a child. We can’t bcs of a few frustrated, wicked teachers and refuse to discipline a child. There is always a place for discipline in raising children. If your child is abused in school, take it up personally with the school or teacher and leave the Federal government out of this Nne.
