Mother arrested for hitting 6-year-old daughter with futon beater

Perhaps they meant one of those futon bats that are used to beat the hell out of them to get rid of dust and mites. That would surely leave bruises and would hurt like hell. Also, I hope in her capacity at her school, she had nothing to do with punishing the children.

Moderator: Yes, that is correct. The story has been amended to show that. Thank you.

Here is the thing. It was never done in anger and it was never intended to inflict harm.

That's pretty much the crux of it. By far, most such corporal punishments are expressions of the parent's own anger and frustration. Parents will lose their temper. It happens. But when that translates into violence that leaves so many bruises like this, it's a kind of abuse.

I don't think it's a good idea to arrest every parent who crosses this line - except in the more egregious cases. But they need educating and psychological assistance. Japan too often tolerates violence as a form "teaching." Even Zen monks use sticks to beat students who aren't concentrating. Violence teaches nothing useful, except the lesson that people are often violent when they fail to communicate or become frustrated.

I've been swatted with an open hand, wooden spoon, belt and stick, but never needed 3 weeks to heal! Damn! All I needed was about 3 hours until the reddening was gone, and about 3 years of counseling.

And, of course, the mother believed she was doing no wrong. It’s normal to best kids with whatever is available and if nothing is available you use your hands or fists. That is how child discipline is carried out in Japan. I see it every day on the trains and also see verbal abuse, belittling and intimidation in the high private school I work in (every day). Adults have very little self respect in Japan and this is reflected towards children who they have no respect for at all.

No child deserves physical punishment like that. Pretty much tells you how weak minded her mother is. Hope she get punished to the fullest extent of the law and her kids taken away from her. She doesn't need to be working in close proximity of any children.

Next they’ll be beating kids with pillows.

Mother arrested for hitting (aka beating) 6-year-old daughter with futon beater!!

Poor girl!!!

When I was young, the concept of corporal punishment with a wooden paddle / wooden spoon / leather belt / hand was still very much accepted in much of the U.S. The U.K. as well.

My parents were firm believers in it and I had numerous "spankings" when I was young. I also endured a few "mouth being washed out with soap" punishments for lying / talking back / using curse words.

Here is the thing. It was never done in anger and it was never intended to inflict harm.

Discipline from a different era, one that we have never used with our son.

This???? Not discipline! Not even close!! I say that because I am guessing that at some point, this mother is going to say that she did it because the girl "did something wrong" and she lost her temper and wanted to punish her.

My mum used beat my ass with a golf club, hair brush, spatula, you name it, it was because I was a problem child. But this, is just pure cruelty.