So it's okay if Adrian used a belt instead of a switch? Really?
My father was two generations Navy and was a firm believer in discipline, including corporal punishment. I came out of most of those sessions with red marks. His hand was fully capable of inflicting pain and red marks, though he later used a ping-pong paddle. I saw the photos of Peterson's son and evidently the switch can make small cuts and draw blood. Is that a permanent injury? I don't think so. And so we are talking about inflicting pain to impose discipline. You think a switch hurts more than a belt? I seriously doubt it. In either case it probably depends upon who is wielding it.
I also had teachers and coaches who smacked us with paddles with holes drilled in them. Are these people criminals?
Adrian's intent is everything here. And those calling for his head appear to have no idea what the intent or background to all of this is.
Now I am hearing about black culture ... yada, yada, yada -- try Christian culture. Google "spare the rod and spoil the child" and get the actual Bible quotes on the subject. By some quick searching - it appears that Adrian is very religious. And he has also experienced his share of tragedy in life - lost a brother to a drunk driver and one to murder and father to prison.
Since every talking head is a pop psychologist - I might as well take a swing at it. The only reason we are talking about this at all is that Adrian had these children out of wedlock and they live with their mothers. It is obvious that they don't agree about how to discipline their children. This disagreement is going to magnified by the children being raised almost exclusively by their mothers. The children's views will be heavily formed by their mothers, and to the degree that Adrian disagrees with his boys' behavior, he's going to have limited opportunity to make a difference. And then the mother is going to be in a position to complain to authorities - without which, none of this ever sees the light of day.
So what is Adrian's intent? Is he simply using corporal punishment in an effort to teach respect and discipline to his boys (which has gone on forever and still goes on today)? Is he trying to be a good father?
There is a big difference between Adrian and Ray Rice. Rice admitted his guilt and Adrian says he is innocent.
I don't know Adrian Peterson. I have no basis for disputing his claim that he is trying to be a good parent. As far as I am concerned, he is entitled to a presumption of innocence. The boy's mother wants him charged with a crime - I don't know her either. There is a process for these things, but once again we have every talking head with a microphone deciding this matter in the pop media - gads.
Every day this Country creeps closer to becoming a Nanny State.