Sticks and Stones

Although the pictured stick above is of a finished, and highly veneered, quality, this is not the natural state of this object.  Mostly found littered on the sidewalk on a particularly blusterous day, we frequently take for granted the practical significance of these humble wooden entities.  While it would be amusing to expound on the various uses of this abundant resource, one employment resounds most sharply in my mind: as a wooden bludgeon.*

Take my description with a grain of salt of course, for most parents do not intend to beat their young into a pulp.  While physical disciplinary measures are slowly growing out of use (especially in the US with child services just a phone call away), a sharp smack on the bottom with a wooden stick remains the quickest way to reach rebellious youths with the concept of right and wrong.  While a child can eventually reduce scolding and pleading to white noise in the background of angst-filled rock, MTV programming, or computer games, a solid session of ‘physical therapy’ is sure to leave its mark.  Effective, and perhaps natural instinct.  God only knows how many times I’ve wondered, during an especially rowdy episode of Maury: “Wild and Underaged”, why their parents did not whip some sense to their sexpot thirteen-year-olds.

Please note that I understand that this correctional method is not always carried out with stick.  This is solely a matter of preference, and the options range from a bare-hand, to a ruler, or a belt, to name a few.  The belt can be a particularly versatile form of the stick; the option of the buckle can allow guardians to differentiate between varying degrees of distasteful behavior.  Why I choose to focus on the stick as an object of ‘fetish’, is because of its iconic status as a symbol for corporeal punishment in its rudimentary form, strictly in the disciplinary sense (’sticks’ in relation to sexual fetish is a whole other bag of tricks).

The stick has served corporeal punishment in a long and illustrious partnership.  A quick investigation of this topic on Wikipedia (the go-to-guy for a superficial understanding of various topics) yields the following excerpt that summarizes this relationship:

“While the early history of corporal punishment is unclear, the practice was certainly present in classical civilizations, being used in Greece, Rome, and Egypt for both judicial and educational discipline. Practices varied greatly, though scourging and beating with sticks were common.” (link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corporal_punishment)

I can understand one’s hesitance to pick up the stick despite its historically proven effectiveness.  No doubt many of us born into the pre-millenial generation can still recall the stinging ‘injustice’ rained upon us for accidentally neglecting to explain that a ’sleep-over’ was actually code for bar-hopping in the city.  No amount of explanation that the ’scourging’ was done out of love and concern can disguise the stick’s real message: we are fucking furious and you can be sure another beating is around the corner if you disobey us again.  Beyond personal vows to refrain from this uncalledfor behavior with one’s own offspring, national institutions also support this ambivalence on the topic physical ‘abuse’; “as of 2008 it has been legally banned in 23 countries”.

However, one must look beyond popular society’s negative labeling of corporeal punishment, such as ‘abuse’, to see the merits of this method of child upbringing.  Reflecting back on the lessons my parents have impressed upon me growing up, I cannot think of a single verbal message that I’ve carried with me throughout the years, but whippings certainly still resound freshly in my mind.  Not only does the stick ensure long-term viability of a lesson, but nothing demonstrates the natural hierarchy of authority within a household like a stick in hand.  Even as a purely ornamental choice, the one with the stick, wears the pants.  If used responsibly (with equal amounts of punishment and mercy) the stick may foster life-long filial respect, the elusive ‘appreciation of the stick’ and, associatively, the parent(s).  Often the stick evokes unspeakable fear, its sighting foretells of imminent pain.  If impressed strongly enough on the recipient, the mere thought of the stick could ward off lewd or irresponsible decisions.

This is by no means an extensive essay on the positives or politics of stick-use.  I barely touch on the cultural significance of corporeal punishment attitudes.  I simply wished to speak briefly for the concept of physical discipline, a slowly dying culture in the face of globalization, and the spread of Western ideology.  This is not to say I don’t see instances of grave misuse of authoritarian power.  Just today I stumbled upon a frighteningly disturbing instance of unjustifiable abuse.  No child should ever have his face ripped apart for as small a grievance as is “fail[ing] to hand in his work”.  God only knows how many times I have missed due dates (I’m not a very chronologically disciplined person), and the vast implications that would hold for my face with such a professor.  (Link: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/4176114/Chinese-schoolboy-has-52-stitches-after-attack-from-teacher.html)  Although I adopt a light tone when addressing this topic, I do understand the gravity of outrageous and extreme cases of punishment, and completely disagree with this practice.  It is simply a defensive measure against a potentially controversial subject, and one that I have yet to completely wrap my mind around.

At the same time, I also find myself, as in the Maury instance mentioned above, unconsciously reaching for the metaphorical rod.  Maybe this says something unsavory about my character.  Forgive me my disagreement , but maybe some people just need a sound thrashing to get their lives on the right track.

*The common stick found scattered in various playgrounds and heavily wooded areas are not prime examples of the symbolic stick, although on occasion one may come across certain diamonds in the rough.  This is also the reason why the picture included is a polished rod rather than the everyday stick.  These gems will have the perfect length to catch the fleeing delinquint, and the perfect girth to withstand years of wear.  All sticks need work, but this treasure will have minimal wayward twigs to break off and smooth.  Stick buffs may also find a stick with the perfect amount of spring to deliver the perfect thwack, a sound that has resounded through the ages.

(Apologies for the length.)