Sunday, August 29, 2010
BOW is IN!
I finally finished my HSC Art Body of work. I now have an elbow injury. Who would have known that the muscles that control your hands are in your elbow! Anyway, i am tired, as I haven't slept more than 6 hours all weekend, so here are the works I submitted. I am pretty sure if you click on them, you can look at them bigger. Sorry the pics aren't the best. As I said, i am injured and didn't have a tripod.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
fuck hey noddy.
Some people seem under the impression I am a business. I am not. Those people who have bought my fibres know me well enough to come to my house and get it themselves.
It is strange, I realised that i have never posted fibre to anyone, except in swaps. Who knows. One day i may open a store, but i am just not interested in that level of long term commitment. I made an investment in fibre earlier this year, in the hopes of being able to sustain my habit.
That being said, my sister's circumstances make it worth both our whiles to at least try and sell some of what I have here. I admit i don't really know anything about selling. I posted some stuff up on some of the groups, just to let people know they were available to people who want them. they are still mine ffs. I didn't dye them with the express purpose of selling them - the whole point was that I would have enough for myself, with some left over to try and make a bit of moneys back if possible (explained in an earlier blog post), which was going ok. I was selling to friends, and considering weather if anyone else actually took an interest if it would be a hard trek to the post office to get stuff out on the same day, until I somehow offended the world with my assertion that I have no intention of becoming a business.
But forgive me my frustrations. I admit I am a bit embarrassed at having been thus confronted. I honestly didn't know I had done anything wrong. Having seen how it makes people feel though, and having now had my 2 cents, i am happy to comply to whatever pretentious guidelines are in place, purely because I would still like to share my work with others, and have a very strong desire to ease the financial burden of my sister. I remember that what seems like not too long ago, although in reality, it was several years, i would have escalated this situation to the point that one could I suppose, describe it as self destruction. I have lost my spark for debate and argument, and questioning or challenging the rules of this group just doesn't seem worth it to me.
It is strange, I realised that i have never posted fibre to anyone, except in swaps. Who knows. One day i may open a store, but i am just not interested in that level of long term commitment. I made an investment in fibre earlier this year, in the hopes of being able to sustain my habit.
That being said, my sister's circumstances make it worth both our whiles to at least try and sell some of what I have here. I admit i don't really know anything about selling. I posted some stuff up on some of the groups, just to let people know they were available to people who want them. they are still mine ffs. I didn't dye them with the express purpose of selling them - the whole point was that I would have enough for myself, with some left over to try and make a bit of moneys back if possible (explained in an earlier blog post), which was going ok. I was selling to friends, and considering weather if anyone else actually took an interest if it would be a hard trek to the post office to get stuff out on the same day, until I somehow offended the world with my assertion that I have no intention of becoming a business.
But forgive me my frustrations. I admit I am a bit embarrassed at having been thus confronted. I honestly didn't know I had done anything wrong. Having seen how it makes people feel though, and having now had my 2 cents, i am happy to comply to whatever pretentious guidelines are in place, purely because I would still like to share my work with others, and have a very strong desire to ease the financial burden of my sister. I remember that what seems like not too long ago, although in reality, it was several years, i would have escalated this situation to the point that one could I suppose, describe it as self destruction. I have lost my spark for debate and argument, and questioning or challenging the rules of this group just doesn't seem worth it to me.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
bloggerino time.
It's been a while, and a bit has happened. i have been to camp, sold some stuff, done some art works for my BOW, had an exhibition, finished a swap, been home with a sick child for a week, and i suppose, pics are what it is all about.
So here is the photos of the roving i dyed last dye day.
^Sold To Ellie!^
^^Sold To Em!^^ 
So there you have it. stuff dyed, stuff sold. Selling is going not too bad. I have sold about $100 of stuff, and people have been very generous, letting me keep change and all that, which is very promising for the Morgan's eye surgery fund.
Morgan is moving back soon too, "having a break" from her boyfriend. I can't wait to see her again. I really love Morgan. she is excellent company and we have a lot in common. it will be nice to have someone to talk to again. then she can help me with house keeping and dying. I haven't told her i am saving a percentage of my wool profits for her surgery, so i will tell her when she gets here.
So far, there is $30 going towards the surgery. so there is only... $9,970 left to go! I am sure that the more I sell the more rapid the target will come into view. I am excited, yet apprehensive. I don't know how long it will take me to save it. I am hoping to sell some of my hand spun in town this coming holidays. so if you are in town on those days (TBA) look for me for some super fine micron, hand spun merino! I don't believe I will sell much...but it is worth a try. I will be the one with the spinning wheel!
My art stuff is due on MONDAY. I have to get to and do the drawings. Pics when it is all done. TTFN.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
TRIALS are OVER
My HSC trial exams are over, and I am feeling pretty alright. Now I just need to work on my Art BOW and have it done by the 30th, :/
DYE DAY IS HERE ONCE MORE!
My 16.5 micron roving arrived and I am about to start dying. I already did some last night, and it is SO INCREDIBLY SOFT! The fibre is so fine that I have to moisturise my hands before handling it or it sticks to my hands like Velcro. Here are the ones i did last night, with more to come later in the day.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
My PIP is FINISHED!
For my society and culture class, we had to choose a topic and do in - depth research into the topic. This has taken me nearly a year to research and write, and I am proud to announce it is, today finished.
The amout of time, care and effort spent on this paper, which is an academic paper with original research, depth research and interviews, conducted by myself, is one of the most fulfilling things I have ever done. So here , I am going to present to you, my central material. This is, in fact only 1/3 of the actual PIP, as the vast majority is taken up with appendixes, accounts of my research, transcripts, and refference lists and annotations :D
I hope you find the article Informative.
Physical Discipline
Continuity versus Change; the Psychology of the Modern Australian Parent in an Evolving Society
Physical discipline, also referred to as physical punishment and corporal punishment, is the act of using pain as a consequence for poor or undesirable behaviours in children. Traditionally, this was the most common form of punishment used in Australian households, and it still experiences some popularity today. The tendency towards the use of corporal methods is heavily reflected in the literature of the times and in the social norms of Australian Society and Culture. If we speak to those people who were children only 50 years ago, it was to be a minority, not to be physically punished. The basis of corporal parenting techniques were firmly rooted in the idea of ‘child rearing’, which considers it the responsibility of the parent to destroy the child’s will to be disobedient or defiant; a classic example of which is the old saying, ‘spare the rod, spoil the child’[1]; a line which is derived from verses from the book of Solomon’s Proverbs, in the Bible; a text from which its earliest writings pre-date the Romans.
“He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.” (Proverbs 13:24)
“Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.” (Proverbs 23:13)
When looking into the implications of the continuity of such ancient textual lessons, it is interesting to see the expression of attitudes and the use of justifications, despite the nature of changing society. This quote, from a popular Parenting book by J. Sulzer, written in 1748 is an example of the type of attitude that was traditionally held by many parents in regards to their children and discipline:
“As far as willfulness is concerned, this expresses itself as a natural recourse in tenderest childhood as soon as children are able to make their desire for something known by means of gestures. They see something they want but cannot have; they become angry, cry, and flail about. Or they are given something that does not please them; they fling it aside and begin to cry. These are dangerous faults that hinder their entire education and encourage undesirable qualities in children. If willfulness and wickedness are not driven out, it is impossible to give a child a good education. The moment these flaws appear in a child, it is high time to resist this evil so that it does not become ingrained through habit and the children do not become thoroughly depraved.
Therefore, I advise all those whose concern is the education of children to make it their main occupation to drive out willfulness and wickedness and to persist until they have reached their goal. As I have remarked above, it is impossible to reason with young children; thus, willfulness must be driven out in a methodical manner, and there is no other recourse for this purpose than to show children one is serious. If one gives in to their willfulness once, the second time it will be more pronounced and more difficult to drive out. Once children have learned that anger and tears will win them their own way, they will not fail to use the same methods again. They will finally become the masters of their parents and of their nursemaids and will have a bad, willful, and unbearable disposition with which they will trouble and torment their parents ever after as the well-earned reward for the "good" upbringing they were given. But if parents are fortunate enough to drive out willfulness from the very beginning by means of scolding and the rod, they will have obedient, docile, and good children whom they can later provide with a good education… These, then, are the two most important matters one must attend to in the child's first year.” [2]
This book, and many others like it published prior to the beginning of the 20th century were both common and popular, and one might argue that however damaging the effects of these techniques may have been, they clearly achieved the desired result, which was not to create healthy, well balanced individuals, but rather passive, obedient children[3]. As books such as these are now considered to be inappropriate[4]and as our understanding of the long term effects of this kind of pedagogy is becoming more sophisticated[5], those parents that continue to utilise physical punishment in their disciplinary methods are doing so without a supporting set of manuals or guidelines, but rather, are simply repeating that with which they are familiar; the modelling they received themselves as children[6], without any regard to the consequences or effects of their chosen methods.
What should people know about their choice to physically discipline?
The most common reason that a person uses a particular parenting method is that they are built with a natural tendency to transfer the upbringing they experienced onto their own children.[7] A person’s ability to overcome this socialisation factor is based on many circumstances, but fore mostly, their level of intelligence and education; as this affects their ability to take on and incorporate new information into their person. This flexibility is necessary if any real lessons are to be learned through exposure to new information.[8] As such, the conclusion can be drawn that a person in a lower socioeconomic group with fewer educational opportunities or a lower intelligence level is less able to access lessons outside of the modelling they have received themselves as children, which can explain the findings of the sample group surveyed for this study, that those who do not use physical discipline, as a whole had been exposed to more institutional information, parenting books and psychological research than those who do use physical discipline.[9] According to the same survey, 80 percent of people who use physical discipline do so because that is how they were raised themselves.[10]
Another reason that is suggested for why a person may choose to use physical discipline is that they were socialised in an environment where they had no control over their own lives, or were forced to suppress their emotions and natural tendencies by parents who used their position of power and authority in the household to enforce their dominance. This develops neurosis in the person as an adult, and in a situation where they then have a child themselves, it is a chance for them to regain the control that they lost as children, although this is often subconscious.[11]
Those who use physical punishment, often justify their choice with the statement ‘I was spanked and I turned out ok’.[12] However, professional opinion suggests that it is precisely this tendency to dismiss physical punishment as not being harmful that is the negative consequence of physical discipline.[13] This dismissive attitude has been demonstrated to exist amongst those who use physical discipline in the sample group. As stated above, the survey conducted shows that of those who used physical discipline on their children, 80 percent state their reason for doing so was that it was the way they were raised themselves, compared to twenty-five percent for those who do not use physical punishment.[14] The tendency of a person to transfer their own upbringing onto their children is described by Dr Alice Miller as a type of biological imperative that is based on a fundamental bond of trust between a parent and an infant in the very first stages of life, in which, for the child’s very survival, they must accept that their parent is always right.[15] Research shows this bond of trust is broken by physical discipline, which causes the child to become fearful of their parent, rather than trusting and causes confusion, as the messages that are sent are often conflicting, such as hurting someone because you love them.[16]
Many parents who use physical discipline do so because they believe that it is necessary for teaching children about the dangers of the world. A common example used is that of a child about to step in front of a bus. If the child is not pulled away, and the danger of their action established immediately, via a spank, then it is believed that the child will fail to learn a lesson from the encounter, as the parent simply removing the child from the danger has not established a consequence. This standpoint is based on the idea that at a young age, a child lacks the mental capability for reasoning and therefore can be taught in no other fashion.[17] Indeed, among those persons who affirmed the use of spanking in the sample survey, 50 percent chose to use spanking as they believed it to be the most effective method of establishing boundaries.[18] This attitude is prevalent in the family units of Western, Industrialised societies. A diametric comparison can be drawn between these and that of family units within Hunter Gatherer Societies, which believe that children are capable of learning by experience, and as such, discipline is passive.[19] Eskimos and American Indians are examples of this, although, modern influences on these societies mean that there is integration of western methods as well. Some important social theories to consider when looking at differences between Hunter Gatherer and Industrialised Societies, are social stresses, in which industrial families suffer higher stress than hunter gatherers due to financial issues, and also theories of resource dependency, placing women in the sole care of children and in which they are often economically dependant on their spouse; a contrast to hunter gatherer societies, where men and women share responsibility for children and equally contribute to the growth and supply of family resources; which would explain why passive methods are more prevalent in Hunter Gatherer Societies. [20]
A study from the University of New Hampshire in 2009 showed strong evidence that those children who are spanked suffer from slower cognitive development, with those tested children who were not spanked in the age group two to four years of age showing IQ scores five points higher than those of children who were spanked, and children who were not spanked in the age group five to nine years of age showing scores 2.8 points higher.[21] The reason preposed for these results is that physical discipline interrupts the child’s ability to accurately gauge consequence as the child’s ability to sense danger is limited and therefore cannot associate the smack with a dangerous act, other than the action of the parent, causing them intense confusion. This course of action merely establishes to the child not that, say, roads are dangerous, but that there parents are.[22]
It is also likely that the replacement of discussions and reasoning - which are skills that need to be learned and practiced and which act to stimulate development - with a physical lesson, which has finite positive possibilities for the scope of the child’s development, also has an impact on a child’s cognitive development.[23] When considered in this context, it shows that the reasoning of a child being more effectively taught through physical discipline is counterproductive to the intended goal and as such, is illogical. A major issue surrounding this factor is that many people do not understand the impact that spanking has on their children in the long term.
Is there a cultural link?
It is often suggested that there is a cultural motivator behind a person’s choice to use physical discipline; in the focus area, Armidale, NSW as well as elsewhere in the country, this cultural marker is often identified in the Aboriginal community.[24] [25] [26] However, in Armidale, professionals believe that there are not many discernable differences in the way that aboriginal parents discipline their children, from those of non indigenous parents[27] – not enough to justify the substantially higher rate of aboriginal children in out of home care anyway.[28] The sample survey statistics show that of the Aboriginal people surveyed, they used physical discipline six percent less than non aboriginal people.[29] There is however, a stronger cultural link within Aboriginal communities in regards to what methods are chosen (physical and non physical) because family ties, especially with extended family are much stronger in Aboriginal Communities than in many non Aboriginal communities, and as such, Aboriginal Parents are far more likely to be influenced by influences from within their micro world.[30] To support this, the sample survey of the Armidale population suggests that Aboriginal people are more than forty percent more likely to be influenced by family in their parenting methods than those of non Aboriginal backgrounds.[31]
What do the professionals think?
Professional opinion is overwhelmingly united on the issue of physical discipline. Whilst many acknowledge that in some circumstances, especially those involving significant stress, spanking may be used as a case of personal judgement on the part of the parent,[32] the overall opinion of the early childhood professional community, including those in the focus region of Armidale, NSW[33] is that spanking can be damaging to the relationship between the child and the parent and that other, less violent methods should be used.[34] Indeed research shows that spanking does not address the needs of the child in the long term, but rather satisfies the immediate desires of the parent, and little else.[35]
Great sensitivity is needed in professional situations dealing with issues and concerns in regard to anything to do with the way a parent raises a child. People tend to be very sensitive about it as parenting is a tremendous responsibility; one that involves the life and wellbeing of another and almost all parents truly love their children and want what is best for them.[36] The staff at Minimbah, a local Armidale school, in a group interview, expressed their belief that Indigenous communities especially, are sensitive to criticism in regards to their parenting.[37] There could be many reasons for this. It could be that there is a serious lack of education in indigenous communities and as a result, their understanding of the technical aspects of child psychology is limited and they may view attempts to explain such things as patronising.[38] Also, there is a strong interest in the raising of children by extended family and friends, and as such, they create a support network, that often has unified views on discipline.[39] It could be suggested that many indigenous parents feel that in order to maintain a connection with this strong support network, they must conform to this view, and as a result, block new information.
The Minimbah Staff, having recently attended a seminar on the New South Wales Government’s new “Keep them Safe” strategy, feel that simply supplying information for Aboriginal parents to read and apply is an insufficient way to inform parents of their responsibilities, as a lack of education often means that Aboriginal parents are unable to interpret the information. Their suggestion was that parents need to be sat down in groups or one on one with professionals and have it explained to them in clear terms.[40]
Dr P. Riley, a child Psychologist with New South Wales Health, when asked in an interview about the likelihood of success of such a campaign agreed that a one-on-one explanation of positive parenting and the responsibilities of a parent would be ideal not just for Aboriginal people, but for any parent.[41] However, he pointed out that departments are already clawing for funds and the chances that the Government would fund such a campaign were slim.[42] The suggestion that these discussions with parents could take place during pregnancy, on a case by case basis, possibly during clinical visits, seemed to Doctor Riley to be a more promising concept, although he still expressed concerns that there simply isn’t enough trained professionals working on the issue to really make it a reality.[43] The idea that doctors could be responsible for teaching people how to be better parents seemed, to him a bemusing concept.
“…I don’t know what the Doctors’ view on this is. The Doctors are very increasingly charged every year with new programmes and if they have the time, then great, but it is my gut feeling that they do not have the time to actually train about parenting or even screen; they are mandatory reporters of course, but they are now delving into mental health issues – whether they have the ability to make appropriate assessments within a 15 minute consultation with a client, sometimes even less, is a very interesting point…” [44]
What role does education play in people’s choices?
A new understanding that was reached during the research for this project is that many parents operate using the modelling they received themselves, and as such, their parenting methods aren’t just a choice they have made, but are also a part of who they are as people. To attack them for doing the only thing they know how is insensitive and unfair, as research suggests that those who function on an automatic system of parenting do not have a strong understanding (if any at all) of the long term effects of their particular parenting methods.[45] The sample survey showed that 66.7 percent of people who parent the way they were raised use physical discipline[46], and that 59.3 percent of those that parent the way that they were raised have never read any information on parenting or child psychology[47]. Of this 59.3 percent, 71.4 percent use physical discipline[48]. Many parents spank their children as they simply have no concept of what else they could do, especially in times of stress or pressure, such as when their child tantrums, or when in public.[49]
Professional opinion suggests that a wider availability of community information about parenting and services is crucial to addressing the issue of physical discipline in Armidale.[50] There is serious concern about just how few people there are trained and able to educate those who may need advice or even lessons about how to deal with behavioural issues in a non violent way.[51] There are resources that are available through community health and other services;[52] however, there are many people, such as those in the Aboriginal community who do not utilise those services. There may be a certain element of arrogance associated with this lack of interest in services and information, as some parents may feel that such advice is below them.[53] Also, when questioned about their parenting styles, people tend to become defensive; either because they have family that supports them and they take their advice from there, thus closing themselves to new information, or that because their parenting style is so engrained in them, any question of it is perceived as an attack on who they are as a person.[54] These things can seriously affect the likelihood that a person will accept and assimilate new information, which makes it difficult for those trying to educate and help the community.
There is evidence in the survey results that the less a person has read and understood about child psychology and parenting; the more likely they are to use physical discipline.[55] This conclusion is supported by professional opinion which believes that education and information is the key to changing the way that people act towards their children. It has been suggested that this information should be given to parents as early as the conception of their child, so as to get them familiar with the concepts as early as possible, although, it is admitted that once the parents are home with their child, the greater context is often lost and people tend not to stray outside of their close-knit groups for help or advice.[56] So it is that it can be very difficult to educate people about the issues.
This task is made especially difficult in Aboriginal communities when you consider that many have a low level of education and may have difficulties in accepting advice or in understanding some of the more complex concepts.[57] It has been suggested that one- on –one consultations, or even small group discussions about parenting and services that are available would be the most effective way to teach people who are more sensitive about the issue or who may not be as educated, as it sets the issues down plainly and simply, in a manner that is informative, rather than accusing.[58] [59]The staff at Minimbah believed that the likelihood of this method working was much higher than with written information, because of education barriers, however, Riley suggested that the resources to fund such a project were, non-existent.[60] It has been suggested that all too often, this funding issue is dictated by politics and that it takes for a major crisis to really bring the issues to the fore.[61]
If we consider that a person is likely to repeat the modelling they receive themselves as children, it becomes clear that action to prevent negative parenting is imperative to the ability of society to move forward. The services and information available are an important part of this process. Without the information about IQ, neurosis, broken bonds and negative relationship outcomes, we would not have gotten where we are today, so the information is making a difference, but the question is, is that enough?
What is to be done?
Widely available information in circulation in society has improved the understanding of the general population, and it continues to play a major role. However, services which are in place to aid parents in issues of behavioural management, stress management and financial planning are useful only if they are accessed. There is a push for greater resources in the area of community help and this is promising for the future.[62]
Parents are responsible for their children and as such are legally obliged to take proper care of them and ensuring that they know and understand what is expected of them is a significant part of the role as parent and socialiser. It is their responsibility to access help where it is offered and when they need it, but in some cases, where services don’t exist or aren’t well known, there is a community obligation to ensure that the information can be accessed by those who need it. Government is responsible for the distribution funds to services such as those that deal with issues of child welfare, and so, hold a level of responsibility for ensuring that services dedicated to maintaining strong community health are adequately funded, however, often, these services are severely under funded and so, support can often be stifled by this, where in some instances there are long waiting lists, and in others a complete lack of services all together.[63]
The Federal Government were to invest in the large scale, proactive program suggested by the staff at Minimbah and which Dr Riley believes would be best started from conception, the amount of funding that would be needed to make it a reality would likely be a topic for discussion during elections. The public interest that this would generate could see a significant change in the level of parental understanding in the community. Unfortunately, the topic is extremely sensitive and in Australia today, it is still legal to use corporal punishment on children, although there are rules that govern this and it is interesting to note that other countries have already outlawed spanking. A major, nation wide campaign to educate against physical discipline would likely spark a debate about parent’s rights to spank their children. It is highly unlikely that any Australian government would be willing to risk such negative publicity and so, it is unlikely that they would back the idea.
Conclusion
Time, Environment, Society, Culture and Persons and all play a major role in the topic of physical discipline. Looking back through time, there have been many changes, and even just looking at the last 150 years, it is possible to see massive leaps in our understanding of child psychology, and what is best to create balanced, intelligent human beings. We have moved swiftly from a society that believed children needed a good beating, to one that believes that children deserve love and respect. In this environment of rapid change, there are still however some very strong elements of continuity, in that many parents still hold on to their ‘right’ to physically discipline their children. In Australia, it is still legal to do so, but it is also important to note that there are many countries that have now made it illegal.
It is a verifiable fact that most people who use physical discipline do so, not because the research supports it, but rather they were physically punished themselves and so, as humans are built with a propensity to repeat, they transfer their own upbringings on to their own children. It is often suggested that there is a cultural influence on a person’s use of physical discipline, and indeed, there is strong evidence to support the idea. In Aboriginal communities, such as that in Armidale NSW, a stronger dependence on the extended family structure and the relationships and responsibilities that exist within this micro world, would mean that if, in that group, physical discipline were accepted, then the likelihood that the parent’s might act differently is lessened. However, the sample survey conducted for this study showed that Aboriginal people used physical discipline less that non aboriginal people, which is promising for the future of their communities.
Professional opinion is united around the desire to see less physical punishment and more utilisation of non- violent methods. However, the staff at Minimbah expressed concerns that the ability of the aboriginal community to take on new information. A lack of education and resources, being the brunt of their concerns, and also sensitivities stemming from the closed nature of aboriginal society. Their belief was that a more personal, one-to-one approach would be ideal for explaining issue with child discipline to aboriginal people. However, others feel that there simply isn’t enough resources to cover the costs of such a major endeavour, and that politics simply wouldn’t allow it to dredge up issues of parent’s rights.
The Surveys and interviews conducted for this project have given an insight into the psychological and cultural aspects of the issue of physical discipline, in that they allowed a much boarder as well as in-depth view of the different perspectives regarding the availability of information cultural concerns, psychological affects on children and services that are available.
Information is becoming more abundant, and as parents become more aware, they may begin to use more services. Until that time, it is up to the community to ensure the availability of information and in such situations as it becomes necessary, the government is under an obligation to support these services for the better health of our society. Ultimately however, the choice stays in the hands of parents, whose responsibility it is to consider the information that is presented to them, because only they can put it into practice. They must choose between continuity of the old ways, or acceptance of changing understandings of a modern society.
[1] Miller, A. For your own good pp. 4
[2] Miller, 2002, pp. 5
[3] Ibid, pp.5
[4] Boer-Buquicchio, M. 2009. Being a parent is not a license to hurt (Article) New Europe, (Issue : 823)
[5] MSNBC, September 25, 2009 Children who are spanked have lower IQs :Physical punishment slows kids' intellectual growth, researcher says.(Video source)
[6] Riley, P. Interview, Appendix 1, pp. 1
[7] Miller, 2002, pp. 4
[8] Riley, P. Interview, Appendix 1, pp. 1
[9] Survey Sample Statistics, Appendix 2, chart 3
[10] Ibid.
[11] Miller, 2002, pp. 5
[12]A look at personal opinions, Appendix 4
[13] Riak, J. 2010, Plain Talk about Spanking (article) pp. 6
[14] Survey Sample Statistics, Appendix 2, chart 2
[15] Miller, pp. 4
[16] Riak, J. 2010, pp.2
[17] The argument for spanking vs. not spanking your child (article)
[18] Survey Sample Statistics, Appendix 2, chart 2
[19] History of the Family,2010
[20] Domestic Violence, 2010
[21] MSNBC, (Video) September 25, 2009
[22] Riak, J. 2010, pp.7
[23] MSNBC, (Video) September 25, 2009
[24] Jepsen. G, Valentine. K, 2009. Child protection Australia 2008-09
[25] Labour NSW, 2010, $3.7 million announced to support Aboriginal child protection (article)
[26] Riley, P. Interview, Appendix 1. pp. 2
[27] Ibid.
[28] Jepsen. G, Valentine. K, 2009, pp 8.
[29] Survey Sample Statistics, Appendix 2, chart 8
[30] Riley, P. Interview, Appendix 1, pp. 2
[31] Survey Sample Statistics, Appendix 2, chart 7.
[32] Riley, P. Interview, Appendix 1, pp3
[33] Ibid.
[34] Op. cit.
[35] Op. cit.
[36] Miller, pp. 4
[37] Minimbah staff group interview. Appendix 3
[38] Ibid.
[39] Riley, P. Interview, Appendix 1, pp 6
[40] Minimbah staff group interview. Appendix 3
[41] Riley, P. Interview, Appendix 1, pp. 5
[42] Ibid. pp. 7
[43] Op. Cit.
[44] Op. Cit.
[45] Survey Sample Statistics, Appendix 2, chart 9.
[46] Survey Sample Statistics, Appendix 2, chart 11.
[47] Ibid, chart 9.
[48] Op. Cit. Chart 10.
[49] Riley, P. Interview, Appendix 1, pp. 1
[50] Ibid, pp. 4
[51] Ibid.
[52] Op. cit pp. 6
[53] Minimbah staff group interview. Appendix 3
[54] Riley, P. Interview, Appendix 1, pp. 6
[55] Survey Sample Statistics, Appendix 2, chart 3.
[56] Op. cit pp. 4
[57] Minimbah staff group interview. Appendix 3
[58] Ibid
[59]Riley, P. Interview, Appendix 1, pp. 6
[60] Ibid . pp . 7
[61] Riley, P. Interview, Appendix 1
[62] Riley, P. Interview, Appendix 1
[63] Ibid.
The amout of time, care and effort spent on this paper, which is an academic paper with original research, depth research and interviews, conducted by myself, is one of the most fulfilling things I have ever done. So here , I am going to present to you, my central material. This is, in fact only 1/3 of the actual PIP, as the vast majority is taken up with appendixes, accounts of my research, transcripts, and refference lists and annotations :D
I hope you find the article Informative.
Physical Discipline
Continuity versus Change; the Psychology of the Modern Australian Parent in an Evolving Society
Introduction.
The focus of this paper is on the Psychology of the parent who chooses to use physical discipline on their children. It looks at some of the impacts that physical discipline as a form of socialisation has on children both early on and in the long term and it discusses the issue of professional information and its availability, both in the wider community and also in the Indigenous community, where there is a focus on issues of communication. There is a specific focus on the City of Armidale, New South Wales.
As a parent, I have had an interest in the raising and psychology of children for several years. Having read many books on the matter, this project has given me the opportunity to explore this issue more in depth, and to conduct some first hand research for the purpose of furthering my knowledge of the issue and for demonstrating links between society, culture, people, time and environment within my chosen Personal Interest Project topic. The psychology of a parent that uses physical discipline is an issue that is overlooked by the vast majority of society. This is a serious problem, because matters of child discipline affect everyone in the society, whether as a parent, child or onlooker. Understanding why it is that parents make particular decisions, how this affects their children, and what information and services there are available to help are important things that every person should have an understanding of, to understand themselves better, as well as the society we live in.
Social norms are intimately linked with the ways in which families conduct themselves, and it is the services and institutions within society that are in place to support them that attempt to promote healthy relationships so that society will run smoothly. However, there is a deep ripple of conservativism which runs beneath the surface of the city of Armidale, with many continuing the practice of physical discipline. This continuity has deep roots in human psychology and has major effects on the nature of any given society. As new research and understandings of psychology and the general effectiveness of different parenting methods are immerging, Australian society is changing; evolving into a new entity, where the passage of time has given rise a world in which non-violent parenting methods are being favoured over the more traditional methods of yester-year. However, there are still those that aim to keep the older methods alive, and part of this paper’s aim is to explore the reasons for this continuity. It is also interested in looking at what influence a person’s cultural background has on their disciplinary choices and will look specifically at the Aboriginal community in Armidale, New South Wales.
For this project, it has been important to do a lot of background research. Reading and considering all of the research that has been done on this issue would be impossible in such a short time space, and so, to compliment my research, I have also interviewed professionals in both structured and unstructured interviews. As my project has a specific focus on Armidale, these professionals are ones which are closely involved with the Armidale community. I also conducted a survey of the local population, in the hopes of compiling some statistics with which to compare current research and understandings. The survey contained both open and closed questions, with a primarily yes/no structure, however, due to the sensitive nature of the topic, I have chosen not to interview any parents about their chosen methods directly for fear of offending people, and as such, I am reliant on an open ended question at the end of the survey, which gives them the opportunity to express their personal views anonymously. The surveys were conducted randomly, with the exception of 20, which were sent to the parents of a local school; however, these surveys were not returned and as such are not included in this paper.
The focus of this paper is on the Psychology of the parent who chooses to use physical discipline on their children. It looks at some of the impacts that physical discipline as a form of socialisation has on children both early on and in the long term and it discusses the issue of professional information and its availability, both in the wider community and also in the Indigenous community, where there is a focus on issues of communication. There is a specific focus on the City of Armidale, New South Wales.
As a parent, I have had an interest in the raising and psychology of children for several years. Having read many books on the matter, this project has given me the opportunity to explore this issue more in depth, and to conduct some first hand research for the purpose of furthering my knowledge of the issue and for demonstrating links between society, culture, people, time and environment within my chosen Personal Interest Project topic. The psychology of a parent that uses physical discipline is an issue that is overlooked by the vast majority of society. This is a serious problem, because matters of child discipline affect everyone in the society, whether as a parent, child or onlooker. Understanding why it is that parents make particular decisions, how this affects their children, and what information and services there are available to help are important things that every person should have an understanding of, to understand themselves better, as well as the society we live in.
Social norms are intimately linked with the ways in which families conduct themselves, and it is the services and institutions within society that are in place to support them that attempt to promote healthy relationships so that society will run smoothly. However, there is a deep ripple of conservativism which runs beneath the surface of the city of Armidale, with many continuing the practice of physical discipline. This continuity has deep roots in human psychology and has major effects on the nature of any given society. As new research and understandings of psychology and the general effectiveness of different parenting methods are immerging, Australian society is changing; evolving into a new entity, where the passage of time has given rise a world in which non-violent parenting methods are being favoured over the more traditional methods of yester-year. However, there are still those that aim to keep the older methods alive, and part of this paper’s aim is to explore the reasons for this continuity. It is also interested in looking at what influence a person’s cultural background has on their disciplinary choices and will look specifically at the Aboriginal community in Armidale, New South Wales.
For this project, it has been important to do a lot of background research. Reading and considering all of the research that has been done on this issue would be impossible in such a short time space, and so, to compliment my research, I have also interviewed professionals in both structured and unstructured interviews. As my project has a specific focus on Armidale, these professionals are ones which are closely involved with the Armidale community. I also conducted a survey of the local population, in the hopes of compiling some statistics with which to compare current research and understandings. The survey contained both open and closed questions, with a primarily yes/no structure, however, due to the sensitive nature of the topic, I have chosen not to interview any parents about their chosen methods directly for fear of offending people, and as such, I am reliant on an open ended question at the end of the survey, which gives them the opportunity to express their personal views anonymously. The surveys were conducted randomly, with the exception of 20, which were sent to the parents of a local school; however, these surveys were not returned and as such are not included in this paper.
What is Physical Discipline?
Physical discipline, also referred to as physical punishment and corporal punishment, is the act of using pain as a consequence for poor or undesirable behaviours in children. Traditionally, this was the most common form of punishment used in Australian households, and it still experiences some popularity today. The tendency towards the use of corporal methods is heavily reflected in the literature of the times and in the social norms of Australian Society and Culture. If we speak to those people who were children only 50 years ago, it was to be a minority, not to be physically punished. The basis of corporal parenting techniques were firmly rooted in the idea of ‘child rearing’, which considers it the responsibility of the parent to destroy the child’s will to be disobedient or defiant; a classic example of which is the old saying, ‘spare the rod, spoil the child’[1]; a line which is derived from verses from the book of Solomon’s Proverbs, in the Bible; a text from which its earliest writings pre-date the Romans.
“He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.” (Proverbs 13:24)
“Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.” (Proverbs 23:13)
When looking into the implications of the continuity of such ancient textual lessons, it is interesting to see the expression of attitudes and the use of justifications, despite the nature of changing society. This quote, from a popular Parenting book by J. Sulzer, written in 1748 is an example of the type of attitude that was traditionally held by many parents in regards to their children and discipline:
“As far as willfulness is concerned, this expresses itself as a natural recourse in tenderest childhood as soon as children are able to make their desire for something known by means of gestures. They see something they want but cannot have; they become angry, cry, and flail about. Or they are given something that does not please them; they fling it aside and begin to cry. These are dangerous faults that hinder their entire education and encourage undesirable qualities in children. If willfulness and wickedness are not driven out, it is impossible to give a child a good education. The moment these flaws appear in a child, it is high time to resist this evil so that it does not become ingrained through habit and the children do not become thoroughly depraved.
Therefore, I advise all those whose concern is the education of children to make it their main occupation to drive out willfulness and wickedness and to persist until they have reached their goal. As I have remarked above, it is impossible to reason with young children; thus, willfulness must be driven out in a methodical manner, and there is no other recourse for this purpose than to show children one is serious. If one gives in to their willfulness once, the second time it will be more pronounced and more difficult to drive out. Once children have learned that anger and tears will win them their own way, they will not fail to use the same methods again. They will finally become the masters of their parents and of their nursemaids and will have a bad, willful, and unbearable disposition with which they will trouble and torment their parents ever after as the well-earned reward for the "good" upbringing they were given. But if parents are fortunate enough to drive out willfulness from the very beginning by means of scolding and the rod, they will have obedient, docile, and good children whom they can later provide with a good education… These, then, are the two most important matters one must attend to in the child's first year.” [2]
This book, and many others like it published prior to the beginning of the 20th century were both common and popular, and one might argue that however damaging the effects of these techniques may have been, they clearly achieved the desired result, which was not to create healthy, well balanced individuals, but rather passive, obedient children[3]. As books such as these are now considered to be inappropriate[4]and as our understanding of the long term effects of this kind of pedagogy is becoming more sophisticated[5], those parents that continue to utilise physical punishment in their disciplinary methods are doing so without a supporting set of manuals or guidelines, but rather, are simply repeating that with which they are familiar; the modelling they received themselves as children[6], without any regard to the consequences or effects of their chosen methods.
What should people know about their choice to physically discipline?
The most common reason that a person uses a particular parenting method is that they are built with a natural tendency to transfer the upbringing they experienced onto their own children.[7] A person’s ability to overcome this socialisation factor is based on many circumstances, but fore mostly, their level of intelligence and education; as this affects their ability to take on and incorporate new information into their person. This flexibility is necessary if any real lessons are to be learned through exposure to new information.[8] As such, the conclusion can be drawn that a person in a lower socioeconomic group with fewer educational opportunities or a lower intelligence level is less able to access lessons outside of the modelling they have received themselves as children, which can explain the findings of the sample group surveyed for this study, that those who do not use physical discipline, as a whole had been exposed to more institutional information, parenting books and psychological research than those who do use physical discipline.[9] According to the same survey, 80 percent of people who use physical discipline do so because that is how they were raised themselves.[10]
Another reason that is suggested for why a person may choose to use physical discipline is that they were socialised in an environment where they had no control over their own lives, or were forced to suppress their emotions and natural tendencies by parents who used their position of power and authority in the household to enforce their dominance. This develops neurosis in the person as an adult, and in a situation where they then have a child themselves, it is a chance for them to regain the control that they lost as children, although this is often subconscious.[11]
Those who use physical punishment, often justify their choice with the statement ‘I was spanked and I turned out ok’.[12] However, professional opinion suggests that it is precisely this tendency to dismiss physical punishment as not being harmful that is the negative consequence of physical discipline.[13] This dismissive attitude has been demonstrated to exist amongst those who use physical discipline in the sample group. As stated above, the survey conducted shows that of those who used physical discipline on their children, 80 percent state their reason for doing so was that it was the way they were raised themselves, compared to twenty-five percent for those who do not use physical punishment.[14] The tendency of a person to transfer their own upbringing onto their children is described by Dr Alice Miller as a type of biological imperative that is based on a fundamental bond of trust between a parent and an infant in the very first stages of life, in which, for the child’s very survival, they must accept that their parent is always right.[15] Research shows this bond of trust is broken by physical discipline, which causes the child to become fearful of their parent, rather than trusting and causes confusion, as the messages that are sent are often conflicting, such as hurting someone because you love them.[16]
Many parents who use physical discipline do so because they believe that it is necessary for teaching children about the dangers of the world. A common example used is that of a child about to step in front of a bus. If the child is not pulled away, and the danger of their action established immediately, via a spank, then it is believed that the child will fail to learn a lesson from the encounter, as the parent simply removing the child from the danger has not established a consequence. This standpoint is based on the idea that at a young age, a child lacks the mental capability for reasoning and therefore can be taught in no other fashion.[17] Indeed, among those persons who affirmed the use of spanking in the sample survey, 50 percent chose to use spanking as they believed it to be the most effective method of establishing boundaries.[18] This attitude is prevalent in the family units of Western, Industrialised societies. A diametric comparison can be drawn between these and that of family units within Hunter Gatherer Societies, which believe that children are capable of learning by experience, and as such, discipline is passive.[19] Eskimos and American Indians are examples of this, although, modern influences on these societies mean that there is integration of western methods as well. Some important social theories to consider when looking at differences between Hunter Gatherer and Industrialised Societies, are social stresses, in which industrial families suffer higher stress than hunter gatherers due to financial issues, and also theories of resource dependency, placing women in the sole care of children and in which they are often economically dependant on their spouse; a contrast to hunter gatherer societies, where men and women share responsibility for children and equally contribute to the growth and supply of family resources; which would explain why passive methods are more prevalent in Hunter Gatherer Societies. [20]
A study from the University of New Hampshire in 2009 showed strong evidence that those children who are spanked suffer from slower cognitive development, with those tested children who were not spanked in the age group two to four years of age showing IQ scores five points higher than those of children who were spanked, and children who were not spanked in the age group five to nine years of age showing scores 2.8 points higher.[21] The reason preposed for these results is that physical discipline interrupts the child’s ability to accurately gauge consequence as the child’s ability to sense danger is limited and therefore cannot associate the smack with a dangerous act, other than the action of the parent, causing them intense confusion. This course of action merely establishes to the child not that, say, roads are dangerous, but that there parents are.[22]
It is also likely that the replacement of discussions and reasoning - which are skills that need to be learned and practiced and which act to stimulate development - with a physical lesson, which has finite positive possibilities for the scope of the child’s development, also has an impact on a child’s cognitive development.[23] When considered in this context, it shows that the reasoning of a child being more effectively taught through physical discipline is counterproductive to the intended goal and as such, is illogical. A major issue surrounding this factor is that many people do not understand the impact that spanking has on their children in the long term.
Is there a cultural link?
It is often suggested that there is a cultural motivator behind a person’s choice to use physical discipline; in the focus area, Armidale, NSW as well as elsewhere in the country, this cultural marker is often identified in the Aboriginal community.[24] [25] [26] However, in Armidale, professionals believe that there are not many discernable differences in the way that aboriginal parents discipline their children, from those of non indigenous parents[27] – not enough to justify the substantially higher rate of aboriginal children in out of home care anyway.[28] The sample survey statistics show that of the Aboriginal people surveyed, they used physical discipline six percent less than non aboriginal people.[29] There is however, a stronger cultural link within Aboriginal communities in regards to what methods are chosen (physical and non physical) because family ties, especially with extended family are much stronger in Aboriginal Communities than in many non Aboriginal communities, and as such, Aboriginal Parents are far more likely to be influenced by influences from within their micro world.[30] To support this, the sample survey of the Armidale population suggests that Aboriginal people are more than forty percent more likely to be influenced by family in their parenting methods than those of non Aboriginal backgrounds.[31]
What do the professionals think?
Professional opinion is overwhelmingly united on the issue of physical discipline. Whilst many acknowledge that in some circumstances, especially those involving significant stress, spanking may be used as a case of personal judgement on the part of the parent,[32] the overall opinion of the early childhood professional community, including those in the focus region of Armidale, NSW[33] is that spanking can be damaging to the relationship between the child and the parent and that other, less violent methods should be used.[34] Indeed research shows that spanking does not address the needs of the child in the long term, but rather satisfies the immediate desires of the parent, and little else.[35]
Great sensitivity is needed in professional situations dealing with issues and concerns in regard to anything to do with the way a parent raises a child. People tend to be very sensitive about it as parenting is a tremendous responsibility; one that involves the life and wellbeing of another and almost all parents truly love their children and want what is best for them.[36] The staff at Minimbah, a local Armidale school, in a group interview, expressed their belief that Indigenous communities especially, are sensitive to criticism in regards to their parenting.[37] There could be many reasons for this. It could be that there is a serious lack of education in indigenous communities and as a result, their understanding of the technical aspects of child psychology is limited and they may view attempts to explain such things as patronising.[38] Also, there is a strong interest in the raising of children by extended family and friends, and as such, they create a support network, that often has unified views on discipline.[39] It could be suggested that many indigenous parents feel that in order to maintain a connection with this strong support network, they must conform to this view, and as a result, block new information.
The Minimbah Staff, having recently attended a seminar on the New South Wales Government’s new “Keep them Safe” strategy, feel that simply supplying information for Aboriginal parents to read and apply is an insufficient way to inform parents of their responsibilities, as a lack of education often means that Aboriginal parents are unable to interpret the information. Their suggestion was that parents need to be sat down in groups or one on one with professionals and have it explained to them in clear terms.[40]
Dr P. Riley, a child Psychologist with New South Wales Health, when asked in an interview about the likelihood of success of such a campaign agreed that a one-on-one explanation of positive parenting and the responsibilities of a parent would be ideal not just for Aboriginal people, but for any parent.[41] However, he pointed out that departments are already clawing for funds and the chances that the Government would fund such a campaign were slim.[42] The suggestion that these discussions with parents could take place during pregnancy, on a case by case basis, possibly during clinical visits, seemed to Doctor Riley to be a more promising concept, although he still expressed concerns that there simply isn’t enough trained professionals working on the issue to really make it a reality.[43] The idea that doctors could be responsible for teaching people how to be better parents seemed, to him a bemusing concept.
“…I don’t know what the Doctors’ view on this is. The Doctors are very increasingly charged every year with new programmes and if they have the time, then great, but it is my gut feeling that they do not have the time to actually train about parenting or even screen; they are mandatory reporters of course, but they are now delving into mental health issues – whether they have the ability to make appropriate assessments within a 15 minute consultation with a client, sometimes even less, is a very interesting point…” [44]
What role does education play in people’s choices?
Professional opinion suggests that a wider availability of community information about parenting and services is crucial to addressing the issue of physical discipline in Armidale.[50] There is serious concern about just how few people there are trained and able to educate those who may need advice or even lessons about how to deal with behavioural issues in a non violent way.[51] There are resources that are available through community health and other services;[52] however, there are many people, such as those in the Aboriginal community who do not utilise those services. There may be a certain element of arrogance associated with this lack of interest in services and information, as some parents may feel that such advice is below them.[53] Also, when questioned about their parenting styles, people tend to become defensive; either because they have family that supports them and they take their advice from there, thus closing themselves to new information, or that because their parenting style is so engrained in them, any question of it is perceived as an attack on who they are as a person.[54] These things can seriously affect the likelihood that a person will accept and assimilate new information, which makes it difficult for those trying to educate and help the community.
There is evidence in the survey results that the less a person has read and understood about child psychology and parenting; the more likely they are to use physical discipline.[55] This conclusion is supported by professional opinion which believes that education and information is the key to changing the way that people act towards their children. It has been suggested that this information should be given to parents as early as the conception of their child, so as to get them familiar with the concepts as early as possible, although, it is admitted that once the parents are home with their child, the greater context is often lost and people tend not to stray outside of their close-knit groups for help or advice.[56] So it is that it can be very difficult to educate people about the issues.
This task is made especially difficult in Aboriginal communities when you consider that many have a low level of education and may have difficulties in accepting advice or in understanding some of the more complex concepts.[57] It has been suggested that one- on –one consultations, or even small group discussions about parenting and services that are available would be the most effective way to teach people who are more sensitive about the issue or who may not be as educated, as it sets the issues down plainly and simply, in a manner that is informative, rather than accusing.[58] [59]The staff at Minimbah believed that the likelihood of this method working was much higher than with written information, because of education barriers, however, Riley suggested that the resources to fund such a project were, non-existent.[60] It has been suggested that all too often, this funding issue is dictated by politics and that it takes for a major crisis to really bring the issues to the fore.[61]
If we consider that a person is likely to repeat the modelling they receive themselves as children, it becomes clear that action to prevent negative parenting is imperative to the ability of society to move forward. The services and information available are an important part of this process. Without the information about IQ, neurosis, broken bonds and negative relationship outcomes, we would not have gotten where we are today, so the information is making a difference, but the question is, is that enough?
What is to be done?
Widely available information in circulation in society has improved the understanding of the general population, and it continues to play a major role. However, services which are in place to aid parents in issues of behavioural management, stress management and financial planning are useful only if they are accessed. There is a push for greater resources in the area of community help and this is promising for the future.[62]
Parents are responsible for their children and as such are legally obliged to take proper care of them and ensuring that they know and understand what is expected of them is a significant part of the role as parent and socialiser. It is their responsibility to access help where it is offered and when they need it, but in some cases, where services don’t exist or aren’t well known, there is a community obligation to ensure that the information can be accessed by those who need it. Government is responsible for the distribution funds to services such as those that deal with issues of child welfare, and so, hold a level of responsibility for ensuring that services dedicated to maintaining strong community health are adequately funded, however, often, these services are severely under funded and so, support can often be stifled by this, where in some instances there are long waiting lists, and in others a complete lack of services all together.[63]
The Federal Government were to invest in the large scale, proactive program suggested by the staff at Minimbah and which Dr Riley believes would be best started from conception, the amount of funding that would be needed to make it a reality would likely be a topic for discussion during elections. The public interest that this would generate could see a significant change in the level of parental understanding in the community. Unfortunately, the topic is extremely sensitive and in Australia today, it is still legal to use corporal punishment on children, although there are rules that govern this and it is interesting to note that other countries have already outlawed spanking. A major, nation wide campaign to educate against physical discipline would likely spark a debate about parent’s rights to spank their children. It is highly unlikely that any Australian government would be willing to risk such negative publicity and so, it is unlikely that they would back the idea.
Conclusion
Time, Environment, Society, Culture and Persons and all play a major role in the topic of physical discipline. Looking back through time, there have been many changes, and even just looking at the last 150 years, it is possible to see massive leaps in our understanding of child psychology, and what is best to create balanced, intelligent human beings. We have moved swiftly from a society that believed children needed a good beating, to one that believes that children deserve love and respect. In this environment of rapid change, there are still however some very strong elements of continuity, in that many parents still hold on to their ‘right’ to physically discipline their children. In Australia, it is still legal to do so, but it is also important to note that there are many countries that have now made it illegal.
It is a verifiable fact that most people who use physical discipline do so, not because the research supports it, but rather they were physically punished themselves and so, as humans are built with a propensity to repeat, they transfer their own upbringings on to their own children. It is often suggested that there is a cultural influence on a person’s use of physical discipline, and indeed, there is strong evidence to support the idea. In Aboriginal communities, such as that in Armidale NSW, a stronger dependence on the extended family structure and the relationships and responsibilities that exist within this micro world, would mean that if, in that group, physical discipline were accepted, then the likelihood that the parent’s might act differently is lessened. However, the sample survey conducted for this study showed that Aboriginal people used physical discipline less that non aboriginal people, which is promising for the future of their communities.
Professional opinion is united around the desire to see less physical punishment and more utilisation of non- violent methods. However, the staff at Minimbah expressed concerns that the ability of the aboriginal community to take on new information. A lack of education and resources, being the brunt of their concerns, and also sensitivities stemming from the closed nature of aboriginal society. Their belief was that a more personal, one-to-one approach would be ideal for explaining issue with child discipline to aboriginal people. However, others feel that there simply isn’t enough resources to cover the costs of such a major endeavour, and that politics simply wouldn’t allow it to dredge up issues of parent’s rights.
The Surveys and interviews conducted for this project have given an insight into the psychological and cultural aspects of the issue of physical discipline, in that they allowed a much boarder as well as in-depth view of the different perspectives regarding the availability of information cultural concerns, psychological affects on children and services that are available.
Information is becoming more abundant, and as parents become more aware, they may begin to use more services. Until that time, it is up to the community to ensure the availability of information and in such situations as it becomes necessary, the government is under an obligation to support these services for the better health of our society. Ultimately however, the choice stays in the hands of parents, whose responsibility it is to consider the information that is presented to them, because only they can put it into practice. They must choose between continuity of the old ways, or acceptance of changing understandings of a modern society.
[1] Miller, A. For your own good pp. 4
[2] Miller, 2002, pp. 5
[3] Ibid, pp.5
[4] Boer-Buquicchio, M. 2009. Being a parent is not a license to hurt (Article) New Europe, (Issue : 823)
[5] MSNBC, September 25, 2009 Children who are spanked have lower IQs :Physical punishment slows kids' intellectual growth, researcher says.(Video source)
[6] Riley, P. Interview, Appendix 1, pp. 1
[7] Miller, 2002, pp. 4
[8] Riley, P. Interview, Appendix 1, pp. 1
[9] Survey Sample Statistics, Appendix 2, chart 3
[10] Ibid.
[11] Miller, 2002, pp. 5
[12]A look at personal opinions, Appendix 4
[13] Riak, J. 2010, Plain Talk about Spanking (article) pp. 6
[14] Survey Sample Statistics, Appendix 2, chart 2
[15] Miller, pp. 4
[16] Riak, J. 2010, pp.2
[17] The argument for spanking vs. not spanking your child (article)
[18] Survey Sample Statistics, Appendix 2, chart 2
[19] History of the Family,2010
[20] Domestic Violence, 2010
[21] MSNBC, (Video) September 25, 2009
[22] Riak, J. 2010, pp.7
[23] MSNBC, (Video) September 25, 2009
[24] Jepsen. G, Valentine. K, 2009. Child protection Australia 2008-09
[25] Labour NSW, 2010, $3.7 million announced to support Aboriginal child protection (article)
[26] Riley, P. Interview, Appendix 1. pp. 2
[27] Ibid.
[28] Jepsen. G, Valentine. K, 2009, pp 8.
[29] Survey Sample Statistics, Appendix 2, chart 8
[30] Riley, P. Interview, Appendix 1, pp. 2
[31] Survey Sample Statistics, Appendix 2, chart 7.
[32] Riley, P. Interview, Appendix 1, pp3
[33] Ibid.
[34] Op. cit.
[35] Op. cit.
[36] Miller, pp. 4
[37] Minimbah staff group interview. Appendix 3
[38] Ibid.
[39] Riley, P. Interview, Appendix 1, pp 6
[40] Minimbah staff group interview. Appendix 3
[41] Riley, P. Interview, Appendix 1, pp. 5
[42] Ibid. pp. 7
[43] Op. Cit.
[44] Op. Cit.
[45] Survey Sample Statistics, Appendix 2, chart 9.
[46] Survey Sample Statistics, Appendix 2, chart 11.
[47] Ibid, chart 9.
[48] Op. Cit. Chart 10.
[49] Riley, P. Interview, Appendix 1, pp. 1
[50] Ibid, pp. 4
[51] Ibid.
[52] Op. cit pp. 6
[53] Minimbah staff group interview. Appendix 3
[54] Riley, P. Interview, Appendix 1, pp. 6
[55] Survey Sample Statistics, Appendix 2, chart 3.
[56] Op. cit pp. 4
[57] Minimbah staff group interview. Appendix 3
[58] Ibid
[59]Riley, P. Interview, Appendix 1, pp. 6
[60] Ibid . pp . 7
[61] Riley, P. Interview, Appendix 1
[62] Riley, P. Interview, Appendix 1
[63] Ibid.
She LIVES!
My beautiful man-friend has fixed Peggy, my spinning wheel. I have been on her all day :D
Fund-raising for Family
My sister, Morgan, means a lot to me. Since she was a child, she has had an eye condition called Strabismus. It causes her eyes to point in two different directions. My eldest sister also suffered from this problem, however my mother paid for her to have surgery to fix it....but not for Morgan, saying that it gave her character.
Well needless to say that my sister wants her eyes fixed, but alas, she has no money and the surgery is $5000 per eye.
So. I plan to raise some funds for her. Wish me luck.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
Finished results
So here are the finished rovings from Dye Day.
WET
DRY
Break it down!
Stop! It's hammer time!
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Ahh....dye day. :)
So I dyed the first 700g of my 17.5 micron fibre. Then it became overcast. Go figure. So now, after a wonderfully sunny day, my wool is going to sit, wet until tomorrow. Perhaps longer. This idea doesn't appeal to me, so I have stuck them in front of the heater to dry.
Anyway, The colours all turned out really nice. I had another go at the black, turquoise, green and fuchsia one again, with the same level of success as last time, but it still looks OK. I did a 200 gram lot that I am VERY happy with, and I did some kettle dying that turned out noish.
The new dying and cooling technique I came up with seems to be working a treat with preserving the quality of the fibre, so it is super smooth and smooshy with next to no aggravation of the fibres. This is particularly exciting for me, because it was the biggest flaw in my dying. This hurtle overcome, i just have to get better at dying black and get softer hands. :D
I will post photos of the new fibres when they are dry.
I finally got round to doing my colour samples too, writing down the exact measurements for dye stock and dying small strands of wool so I can see what the colours look like. So far I have done a whole heap of greens, some purples, and a blue. I will do others later. It is sure to be extremely helpful. Every dyer I have spoken to about it suggests it is a great idea. I have just been doing trial and error and randomness so far, but now i am set for a more structured approach to dying.
Dear Amway, c.1992
Thank you for the duel chamber spray bottle and its associated cleaning products. You have made my life much simpler. Being able to customise the dilution of my cleaning products according to the situation without having to mix a new bottle has saved me time, money and effort. It is a shame that you decided to stop making zoom, as I would marry it if I could.
Love always, Me xx
Taking fate as it comes at me.
For whatever reason, the universe has decided I should stay home today. I had every intention of going to school. My lift never showed up. I waited for nearly an hour, just in case the feeling i was having that he was taking a really long time was due to my having got Jordis off to preschool early. I get sometimes that feeling that i have been waiting for half an hour, when really it was only 5 minutes, so I wanted to be sure this was not one of those occasions. However, It turns out I was right, and He never showed up. As a result, I had to walk home, and have decided to stay, as i only have two classes today, one of which I missed while I was waiting, and the other which I would have been late for anyway, had I walked to school. So here I am, sunny day, clean kitchen, about to start dying.
I did some gardening too. I started to clear out the clover from the vegetable patch ready to plant the seedlings that we have been cultivating in pots for the last month. I love this time of year, when the air is crisp and life is springing back all around. The taste of the air is uplifting.
I bought a new MP3 player yesterday. They were on special at Dick Smiths for $30. I think I will fill it up and have some Stone Temple Pilots while I work.
Dying to dye.
Providing that today remains sunny-ish, today will be dye day. I have to go to school for 3 hours, but then the day is essentially mine, and I got some 17.5 micron merino yesterday, (some of which has been sold, undyed, already!) and I cannot wait to play.
HSC
The HSC looms in the future like a big, loomy thing.
In many ways I am glad that it is nearly over. This last two years will have finally yielded the fruits they have tried so desperately to produce and in a sense, I am not really worried about my mark. I will just be glad to have seen it through to the end.
In other ways, I am scared stiff. I have NOT studied anywhere near as much as I should have this year and I am very foggy on some of the more crucial information for some of my subjects. I am trying not to worry myself too much though. The main concern for me at the moment is that I have not worked on my Art Body of Work enough. In fact, unless I extract the proverbial finger soon, I am sure to fail.
My art journey has been fraught with negativity. I need to overcome it soon, or there will be serious issues.
A new and exciting expedition
So, Here I am, having just invested a HUGE amount of funds in my fibre.
I love spinning and dying, but I am far from a wealthy woman. I see this as my opportunity to sustain my hobby because without making the money back, I can't justify being able to spin any more. I really hope that this investment pays off. I love what I do, and I hope that that is reflected in the fibres that I dye and spin. I am still not great at dying, but I am getting better, and have recently learned a few secrets about dying which I am looking forward to putting into practice with this new fibre.
I spoke today with Laura, the owner of Bee Mice Elf- an amazing fibre store from the USA, and she shared with me some of her experiences and gave me some good advice and inspiration and it has uplifted me a lot. I have just taken a huge leap and have potentially put myself into a debt that could be difficult to recover from, but I am desperately hoping that my own love of fibre and colour will be reflected in a way that attracts others to me and my work.
I am embarking on a potentially hazardous journey, and I am both nervous and excited. And much like a drug addict who tries to sustain their habit by dealing, am going to have trouble staying out of the merchandise. :D
Well, very soon, I will be up and running, and with luck I wont lose any fingers to burly Italian debt collectors.
Wish me luck.
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