Reply from Rob, Child's Age 0 - 10/20/02 - IP#: 62.252.112.10

Thank's for your reply Tom. Firstly, I do know the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist. I don't particularly rate psychiatrists as they often misdignose and use drugs unnecessarily. I realise some people have chemical deficiencies which can be treated by chemical replacements that will keep them stable and able to function normally. I have a friend who is psychotic, on drugs he is fine, off them not good at all. Psychiatrists also like to use treatment that they do not understand such as Electro Convulsive Therapy (ECT)which I believe was first used in Nazi Germany as a form of brain washing. These fellows have also far too much power -in the UK at least- and not enough control. Psychologists are far better as they look at circumstances etc. They are also both instruments of social control and that is not always to the benefit of the patient more for society as a whole. I understand that I do not know all the ins and outs of the situation. What I understand is that this boy was canned for a none violent action and that is intolerable. I also understand that at home he was humiliated and that is no way to solve a problem. You rightly say that no child should be forced to wear diapers and I wholheartedly agree. This boys parents forced him to wear nappies and humiliated him infront of a strager and others because of the wetting at school and at home. These are acts of abuse against that child -first and last. This kind of behaviour is not required and will not solve that lads problems! This John was a student staying with the family and since the wetting stopped thought it was a good form of treatement. Even if the lad was wetting to get out of class the means (official physical violence, enforced nappy wearing and other humiliation) still, in my opinion, does not justify the end. Why did he want to get out of class? There are cases where very intelligent (superior kids) do not do well at school because they find lessons boring because they are too easy. However, he was wetting at home, anywhere for that matter, so it is unlikely that was the motive. I am also NOT in favour of physical punishment for children as in my experience it can have harmful effects in later life as it did with me. I had, and still to some extent, have problems with authority. I also have an awful lot of anger and resentment. There are far better ways of dealing with children than punishments like canning. The idea is to get a childs trust and respect which means they will bring their problems to you. I feel some people think that a good beating engenders respect, my experience is it creates fear and mistrust. The child will share less and less and the parent will not know what his kid is doing! The point about children wearing nappies WAS NOT TO FORCE THEM TO WEAR NAPPIES/DIAPERS. They, the children, express a desire to do this or just do it covertly in all too many cases -fear again. YES, I FULLY agree with your point about insecurity, absolutely, or they are trying to re-live a time of no stress when their lives are filled with cares and woes. Sometimes they don't consiously know why they are doing it just that it feels good. I started wearing nappies in secret since the age of eight. I never told my parents as my father would have beaten me within an inch of my life! Thus he never knew to his dying day! Thus, if a child -particularly a teenager- wants to do this they should not be prevented from doing so but it would be wise to find the motivation if possible. To condemn and chastise out of hand would be unwise even dangerous! There are far worse things they could be doing; e.g. drugs, alcohol, violence etc. Not that they should be forced into diapers as that would constitute abuse. Remember, the reason they may do wish to wear nappies may have been programmed in early childhood and it can be impossible for them to conciously articulate a reason. Lastly, if I was in favour of canning etc (which I am NOT) it would be for acts of physical violence against others, never, never, never, for none violent acts. I hope you can appreciate this -certainly on the issue of CP we must beg to differ. Regards Rob