Article ---3D with aid of The New Paper, Singapore , 15 May2000

Original Article:

 

WHACK!

Be quiet, girls! Daddy has had a long day at work

By IRENE KEW

 

YOUR child is throwing a tantrum and you reach for the cane. And Strike again and again.

To many Singaporean parents, caning is harmless. Some even think it necessary.

But some social work professionals believe that excessive caning is child abuse.

Take the case of Grace, 10, and her little sister , Sarah, 4 ( not their real names).

The sisters were frequently caned by their odd-job labourer father who is in his mid-40s.

 

Noise and Stress

 

He couldn't stand their noisy complaining after a long day's work.

Explained the children's counselor, Miss Poh Wai Leng, 28:

"Their father had a problem managing his anger .

After a long day's work, he just wanted some peace and quiet. And when he couldn't have his way,

he used the cane to get what he wanted."

Worse, his wife was suffering from cancer, and her health was deteriorated towards towards end of 2001.

Added Miss Poh:

" The mother was sick and he had to deal with the medical bills.

She was in and out of the hospital many times.

His wife used to handle all the housework and take care of the kids.

When she fell ill , he had to take over , adding to the stress."

But his senseless caning of his children began before his wife's illness.

Whenever he was irritated by their loud wails, he whipped out the cane.

While shouting at them to keep quiet, he would hit them. Often, the children ran to their mother for help.

In his anger, he even hit his wife accidentally.

But the father knew he couldn't go on like that.

When his wife died early that year, he sought help.

His children are now being cared for by a relative while he undergoes counseling to manage his anger.

 

 

Character of character:

Mother:

• Pale-looking, wears apron, protective of children.
• Weak.

 

Father:

• ( decide for me!)

Grace:

• Prissy,
• Shy,
• Fearful of Father

Sarah:

same

 

Counselor: