Knowledge Spanking Tradition

While it is becoming common knowledge spanking has negative impacts on the emotional and psychological health of children, the practice still endures in American society. This is because our society regards the practice as one rooted in the saying, “Spare the rod, spoil the child.” In addition, this concept of discipline is believed by some to be a means of teaching a child their place in the world. Though this phrase and system derives from Judeo-Christian faith, in modern times it has become a senseless punishment tradition. The way in which religious customs turn into pointless ideologies or means to obtain the upper hand is frightening. As seen in “The Lottery,” by Shirley Jackson and, “A Good Man is Hard to Find,” by Flannery O’Connor,

In addition, Old Man Warner’s age is influential on making the ritual hold up to the test of time as he is the oldest member of the town and warns, “‘Nothing but trouble in that [discarding the lottery],’... (Jackson 130). His credibility of being the oldest member of the city adds greater gravity to his warning of getting rid of the lottery as the rest look to him as the one with most understanding of the custom. However, reasons for Old Man Warner to protect the tradition is because of its age old existence and his desire to continue it out of selfishness. While this proposal moves towards an abstract understanding of the work, Old Man Warner most likely wishes for others to suffer the same way he has. For example, there is no family members of his mentioned in the text, meaning they may have died by stoning or are married off and endure the risk of being stoned. In addition, he announces, “There’s always been a lottery…” (Jackson 130) and, “‘Seventy-seventh year I’ve been in the lottery’... ‘Seventy-seventh time.’” (Jackson 130). It can be concluded that his opinion on the societal ritual and his personal confession is an expression of his conviction towards keeping the lottery. For if the lottery dies, so does his respect. Moving from