{"id":14788,"date":"2013-04-24T13:01:36","date_gmt":"2013-04-24T17:01:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/lovejoyfeminism\/?p=14788"},"modified":"2013-09-15T21:58:40","modified_gmt":"2013-09-16T01:58:40","slug":"some-quotes-from-michael-pearl","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/lovejoyfeminism\/2013\/04\/some-quotes-from-michael-pearl.html","title":{"rendered":"Some Michael Pearl Quotes on Child Training"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

I recently found the full text<\/a> of Michael Pearl\u2019s To Train Up a Child<\/em> online, in case anyone is interested. I also found some compilations of quotes and basic teachings from both that book and another of the Pearls books, and the transcript for an interview between Anderson Cooper and Michael Pearl. I want to pull all of these things together for those who may be interested.<\/p>\n

First, a\u00a0selection of quotes and recommendations<\/a>\u00a0from\u00a0To Train Up a Child.<\/p>\n

The Pearls recommend whipping infants only a few months old on their bare skin. They describe whipping their own 4 month old daughter (p.9). They recommend whipping the bare skin of \u201cevery child\u201d (p.2) for \u201cChristians and non-Christians\u201d (p.5) and for \u201cevery transgression\u201d (p.1). Parents who don\u2019t whip their babies into complete submission are portrayed as indifferent, lazy, careless and neglectful (p.19) and are \u201ccreating a Nazi\u201d (p.45).<\/p>\n

On p.60 they recommend whipping babies who cannot sleep and are crying, and to never allow them \u201cto get up.\u201d On p.61 they recommend whipping a 12 month old girl for crying. On p.79 they recommend whipping a 7 month old for screaming.<\/p>\n

On p.65 co-author Debi Pearl whips the bare leg of a 15 month old she is babysitting, 10 separate times, for not playing with something she tells him to play with. On p.56 Debi Pearl hits a 2 year old so hard \u201ca karate chop like wheeze came from somewhere deep inside.\u201d<\/p>\n

On p.44 they say not to let the child\u2019s crying while being hit to \u201ccause you to lighten up on the intensity or duration of the spanking.\u201d On p.59 they recommend whipping a 3 year old until he is \u201ctotally broken.\u201d<\/p>\n

On p.55 the Pearls say a mother should hit her child if he cries for her.<\/p>\n

On p.46 the Pearls say that if a child does obey before being whipped, whip them anyway. And \u201cif you have to sit on him to spank him, then do not hesitate. And hold him there until he is surrendered. Prove that you are bigger, tougher.\u201d \u201cDefeat him totally.\u201d \u00a0On p.80 they recommend giving a child having a tantrum \u201ca swift\u00a0forceful<\/strong>\u00a0spanking.\u201d On the same page they say to whip small children on their bare skin until they stop screaming. \u201cDon\u2019t be bullied. Give him more of the same.\u201d They say to continue whipping until their crying turns into a \u201cwounded, submissive whimper.\u201d<\/p>\n

On p.47 they recommend their various whips, including \u201ca belt or larger tree branch\u201d to hit children.<\/p>\n

The Pearls \u00a0recommend pulling a nursing infant\u2019s hair (p.7), and describe tripping their non-swimming toddler so she falls into deep water (p.67). \u00a0They recommend ignoring an infant\u2019s bumped head when he falls to the floor, and ignoring skinned knees (p.86). They also say \u201cif your child is roughed-up by peers, rejoice.\u201d (p.81) \u00a0And on p.103 the Pearls say if children lose their shoes, \u201clet them go without until they (the children) can make the money to buy more.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Next,\u00a0a list of quotes<\/a>\u00a0from the Pearls\u2019 book, No Greater Joy,<\/em> which is a compilation of articles from their bimonthly publication.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy two-year-old will not stay in bed when I put him down. It seems like I am whipping him too much. \u00a0No matter how many times I whip him he still gets up.\u201d \u00a0This is their recommendation: \u201cIf your spankings are too light to gain his respect, an increase in the intensity might be more persuasive.\u201d p.6 \u00a0\u201cIf he gets up, when his feet hit the floor, spring into the room with your little switch and pop him on the bare leg one or two times.\u201d \u00a0\u201cNever allow him to get his way.\u201d p.7 If a child screams or cries \u201cJust ignore him. \u00a0Don\u2019t be moved by it. \u00a0Don\u2019t pick him up.\u201d \u00a0If the child says he is hurt give him \u201ca terrible tasting herbal potion.\u201d p.9<\/p>\n

On p.19 Michael Pearl jokes about a \u201ctot\u201d getting \u201chalf a dozen little spankings a day.\u201d<\/p>\n

Michael Pearl praises parents who for a year kept their young son from medical treatment and who \u201cwas so sick that when he finally got to a doctor, the doctor expressed amazement that he was still alive.\u201d p.20<\/p>\n

To the question \u201cShould a mature ten-year-old be allowed to switch a two-year-old if the mother is unavailable?\u201d Michael Pearl says sure!: \u201cTen-year-olds ought to be mature enough to discipline a smaller child. \u00a0In our house, there was no difference between the parents and the older children in enforcing the rule of law over the younger children.\u201d p.24-25<\/p>\n

When a 3 year old screams the Pearls recommend: \u201cwithout saying a word go straight to the switch. \u00a0Spank her where she stands.\u201d \u00a0\u201cNever threaten, and never show mercy. \u00a0One squeak of a scream gets a switching.\u201d p.26 \u00a0The Pearls apparently have never read the Sermon on the Mount, in which Jesus says \u201cBlessed are the merciful!\u201d<\/p>\n

Here is some crazy teaching about violence from Michael Pearl: \u00a0If a child hits, bites, kicks or shoves he should get \u201ca thorough spanking. \u00a0Children must be taught that violence is never an acceptable alternative in personal conflicts.\u201d ??? p.27<\/p>\n

When a 4 year old screams \u201cTurn and walk away. \u00a0If she were to scream again, turn back and give her a spanking.\u201d \u00a0p.30<\/p>\n

On p. 33 \u201cA mother describes her dilemma: `I get so frustrated with the children. \u00a0No matter how many times I tell them or spank them, they just do the same thing again. \u00a0We just go around and around.'\u201d \u00a0Michael Pearl recommends \u201cmeeting every transgression with a swift penalty.\u201d \u00a0\u201cThey will obey.\u201d<\/p>\n

On p. 34 Michael Pearl relates the story of a mother hitting her 11 month old who doesn\u2019t want to eat any more \u201cspinach-squash-mush\u201d and pushes it away. \u00a0The mother \u201cpicked up her little enforcer (whip), which was lying on the table, and swatted the child\u2019s hand.\u201d \u00a0When the baby tries again to push the unwanted food away she \u201creceived another spat.\u201d Michael Pearl says about this scenario: \u201cI loved it. \u00a0It was beautiful.\u201d (p. 35) \u00a0And then on p. 36 he says \u201cI must encourage those of you with small children, train up your children now. \u00a0Don\u2019t want until they are one year old to start training. \u00a0Rebellion and self-will should be broken in the six-month-old when it first appears. \u00a0Take this young mother\u2019s example and think of ways you can train your child. (smiley face)\u201d<\/p>\n

On p. 46 a mother is described as ignoring her crying 3 month old, until the baby \u201cbecame cheerful.\u201d The story ends with Michael Pearl\u2019s comment about a teenage girl visiting this mother and baby: \u201cMaybe when this young girl becomes a mother she will have the wisdom to begin training her newborns and not wait until they are three months old.\u201d<\/p>\n

On p. 47 a 9 month old is left crying, sitting alone and ignored. Pearl recommends coming by to pat her on the head every 10 minutes. This is cruel and neglectful, and dangerous.<\/p>\n

On p. 72 Michael Pearl says \u201cswitches and rods make many things mighty inconvenient (for the child). (smiley face)\u201d<\/p>\n

On p. 85 Michael Pearl recommends giving a little girl who won\u2019t get into her car seat \u201cfive licks with a stinging switch.\u201d If the girl still doesn\u2019t get in the seat \u201crepeat the switching.\u201d If the little girl continues to refuse to get in the seat he says to take the seat into the house and strap the girl in it for \u201ctwo or three hours.\u201d<\/p>\n

On p. 96: when one of the Pearls\u2019 children tattled on another child Debi Pearl \u201cspanked both of them regardless of who did the tattling.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Finally, after Hana Williams died CNN did some coverage on the Pearls. I just now found a transcript of the coverage, which included some rather horrifying interviews with Michael\u2014you can access it here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I recently found the full text of Michael Pearl’s To Train Up a Child online, in case anyone is interested. I also found some compilations of quotes and basic teachings from both that book and another of the Pearls books, and the transcript for an interview between Anderson Cooper and Michael Pearl. I want to pull all of these things together for those who may be interested in reading a bit of what the Pearls say in their own words. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":845,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[108],"tags":[96],"class_list":["post-14788","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-parenting","tag-michael-pearl"],"yoast_head":"\nSome Michael Pearl Quotes on Child Training<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"I recently found the full text of Michael Pearl's To Train Up a Child online, in case anyone is interested. 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