Yes I did assume Michael is manipulative, since the article did indicate that he could switch his emotions on or off...but that wasn’t begging, as that wasn’t my question.
I asked (and continue to ask this) was Michael spanked/disciplined appropriately when he first started to misbehave? Has there been any consistent approach to discipline? Or just the chaotic non-approach described in the article?
The article doesn’t say (since, as I said, it is quite safe to assume to the NYTimes, any spanking is child abuse...), it does indicate a lenient father and “strict” mother who aren’t on the same page on how to approach the problem.
Any child who can physically threaten a sibling, and defy and disrespect his father...with no negative consequences...will behave badly—and worse again, (and again, and again) especially if that’s the pattern for years.
Well first off, when talking about the library that had been amassed by the parents I thought they listed a title or two from Dr. James Dobson, who is not shy about spanking.
Second off, you are assuming it’s a willful choice by the son. Not a state of mind that goes and comes with little or no consent on his part. I will say it in pure English this time: you are begging the question.