Author Topic: Dr. Spock (Read 412 times)

midnight Target · « **on:** November 22, 2002, 10:22:55 AM »

Why is this guy so vilified? Have any of you ever actually read what he wrote, or are you getting your bile from Anne Coulter?

Did you know?

He was an Olympic Gold medalist in 1924.
His book is second only to the Bible in total sales.
His book is just common sense suggestions in baby care.
He studies psychoanalysis for 6 years after getting his doctorate to improve his skills as a pediatrician.

So whats the deal?

H. Godwineson · « **Reply #1 on:** November 22, 2002, 10:54:43 AM »

Must admit I've never read his book, but I scanned it a couple of times.

The criticism is probably coming from people who think he should have some experience in raising children of his own before offering advice to everyone else.

Just a guess...at least I don't believe he had any children. Or perhaps some people resent his views on discipline, which conflicted with traditional views.

Shuckins

midnight Target · « **Reply #2 on:** November 22, 2002, 11:03:33 AM »

He had 2 sons.

Graduated 1st in his class at Columbia college of surgeons.

Discipline -

Quote

I don't believe that strictness or casualness is the real issue. Good-hearted parents who aren't afraid to be firm when it is necessary can get good results with either moderate strictness or moderate casualness. On the other hand, a strictness that comes from harsh feelings or an excessive permissiveness that is timid or vacillating can lead to poor results.

The real issue is what spirit the parent puts into managing the child and what attitude is instilled in the child as a result.

Sounds pretty traditional to me.

Ripsnort · « **Reply #3 on:** November 22, 2002, 11:07:32 AM »

I never studied his works or read his books. My father was the role model I used for raising my kids. Even though I play a f#$ed up personality on TV (this BBS) , I raise my kids very conservatively, traditionally. Family First is my motto. Personal Responsibility is our primary objective.

midnight Target · « **Reply #4 on:** November 22, 2002, 11:12:36 AM »

I was wrong, it was Anne Graham (Billy's daughter)

Quote

Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said that we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem. (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said that an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said OK.

Of course this is not only a misquote of Dr. Spock, it is also not true. His son is alive and well, his grandson committed "suicide", another victim of the drug culture of the 70's.

streakeagle · « **Reply #5 on:** November 22, 2002, 11:25:48 AM »

I have no children, probably never will... see no reason for me to actually read Dr. Spock

But, as a result of this thread and my own curiousity, I did a quick search on the web and was able to find out that the rumor that one of his two sons committed suicide was untrue... it was his grandson that committed suicide in 1983.

It seems that he was unfairly associated with the trend of kids being raised by parents that were too permissive. He supported parents respecting their children as human beings and treating them as such... not allowing them to run wild being obnoxious and impolite.

I am not a fan of his being a pacifist who actively protested the Vietnam war, but at least he didn't fly to Hanoi and pose for photos with enemy troops.

Ripsnort · « **Reply #6 on:** November 22, 2002, 11:49:54 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by streakeagle
I have no children, probably never will...

Gee, sounds like a Ripsnort I knew, said that all my life..up until I was 30'ish...

StSanta · « **Reply #7 on:** November 22, 2002, 03:12:01 PM »

Yeah, but you're a sucker Ripsnort. You've let THEM suck the life force right out of you.

Now, instead of someone with drive, passion and ambition, someone who could do something extraordinary, someone who could devote your life to achieving a single personal goal, you're stuck with the routine boring task of raising kids. Smae as nearly all other families.

And don't give me that crap about "raising kids is my single task, is extraordinary blah blah". You know as well as I do that you've diddlyed up.

bounder · « **Reply #8 on:** November 22, 2002, 05:20:31 PM »

Don't have any of your own do you Santa, or you could not mean that in all seriousness?

lazs2 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 23, 2002, 10:24:31 AM »

stsanta... so far... it doesn't appear that you have set the world on fire.... perhaps in 20 years or so we could hear your opinions again. It would appear tho that you believe that men with children have not accomplished anything in history?
lazs

Sandman · « **Reply #10 on:** November 23, 2002, 11:24:42 AM »

Santa said it a little harshly and he may have exaggerated a few points, but it's true.

If you have children, you will sacrifice your own wants and desires to meet their needs... That is unless your only wants and desires were to raise kids.

lazs2 · « **Reply #11 on:** November 23, 2002, 12:07:56 PM »

sandman... the same could be said for sex. with kids the final result... what you get out of it... is more than worth the sacrafice. It could even be said that.... some, or even a lot, of people would get nowhere without incentaive and that children work as an incentive for them.... to think otherwise is to have a very narrow view on things. You guys should really think these things out a little... especially if you have no first hand experiance.
lazs

Sandman · « **Reply #12 on:** November 23, 2002, 12:36:26 PM »

I have two of my own, Laz.

lazs2 · « **Reply #13 on:** November 23, 2002, 12:43:38 PM »

sandman... would you say that you get more out of your children than u put into them or vice versa? I also don't know how old they are but... they are also a different story after they are grown and have left/started families of their own.
lazs

eskimo2 · « **Reply #14 on:** November 23, 2002, 04:15:04 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by StSanta
Yeah, but you're a sucker Ripsnort. You've let THEM suck the life force right out of you.

Now, instead of someone with drive, passion and ambition, someone who could do something extraordinary, someone who could devote your life to achieving a single personal goal, you're stuck with the routine boring task of raising kids. Smae as nearly all other families.

And don't give me that crap about "raising kids is my single task, is extraordinary blah blah". You know as well as I do that you've diddlyed up.

I wouldn't trade my experiences as a husband and father for anything this world has to offer.
My oldest daughter is the funniest, most amazing, and one of the brightest people that I have ever met. There is no greater happiness than to be a parent.

eskimo