In a 1950 Minnesota Crime Commission report we find this statement:
Every baby starts life as a little savage. He is completely selfish and self-centered. He wants what he wants when he wants it: his bottle, his mother’s attention, his playmate’s toys, his uncle’s watch, or whatever. Deny him these and he seethes with rage and aggressiveness which would be murderous were he not so helpless. He’s dirty, he has no morals, no knowledge, no developed skills. This means that all children, not just certain children but all children, are born delinquent. If permitted to continue in their self-centered world of infancy, given free reign to their impulsive actions to satisfy each want, every child would grow up a criminal, a thief, a killer, a rapist.
That is a pretty stunning observation, especially from a secular organization. But think about when your small child is angrily thrashing and throwing a temper tantrum. If he had the physical ability to maim or even kill his parent in order to get his own way, would he? What would stop him? Parents, it is your job to discipline your child so that by the time he is old enough and big enough to possess the power to commit great acts of violence, he has also acquired at minimum, self-discipline and more importantly, a full grasp of the Gospel and its obligation to submit to Christ as Lord.
Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die. Proverbs 23:13
The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother. Proverbs 29:15
mdanys