(no subject)

[elle_white]

Amazon is selling a book that promotes abusive ideas towards children.

It has been directly implicated in the deaths of three children. This Tumblr post contains an article about a thirteen-year-old girl who died of hyperthermia and malnutrition. Her adopted parents were followers of the teachings in the book. 

Not only is this a horrifying story, but the person who made me aware of it pointed out that young Hanna Williams is yet another victim of Michael and Debi Pearl.The Pearls co authored the book “To Train up a Child” that, according to the above article, has been implicated in several other similar cases of child abuse in the years since the book was published in 1994.

The Pearls have their own industry based around this called “No Greater Joy Ministries” which is a slightly terrifying website that seems to do nothing but enforce the idea that children are property of the men of the household. This becomes even more chilling when one considers that many of the victims of the Pearl method are adoptees, which for some reason is a too-frequent excuse for dehumanizing children.

This article is by a mother who once followed their teachings, and it describes the mentality behind their actions. WARNING: it contains very graphic and disturbing descriptions of child abuse. 

A former therapist, who has worked with many children from abusive homes, has set up a petition on change.org, asking Amazon to cease stocking this terrible book: http://www.change.org/petitions/jeff-bezos-amazon-ceo-refuse-to-carry-books-which-advocate-the-physical-abuse-of-children  

Comments

[naye]

But if people can't buy it, how are sane and rational people who want to argue against the method and show how wrong it is get their arguments?

Far better to keep selling the book, but that activists (or just sane, concerned people) post a deluge of reviews denoting exactly what is wrong and dangerous with it, and offer alternatives to the parents who might be far gone enough to buy it. Because, seriously, one book is not going to make someone buy into that philosophy - but once someone has bought into it, you need to be able to reach them.

I'm not in any way defending this horrible book, and I'm appalled that this sort of thing can continue, but I'm not sure this campaign is directed in the right direction.

[elle_white]

I can see what you're saying. But the author has sent out a few letters to his followers, asking them to send Amazon with positive reviews. A few detractors have commented on the positive reviews and challenged them. But they've been largely ignored or received with aggression. I think this mentality is often ingrained in the people who follow the books teachings. Many of them think of children as inherently bad and manipulative, that's why they're susceptible to the books teachings.

It's aimed at people with an already negative view of children and rigorously encourages them to treat their children with a lack of compassion.

[naye]

And as with all things evil and undemocratic, I think it is far better to keep the spotlight on these things, challenging the message and the people behind them rather than a particular instance of the medium they use. They won't stop selling the book because Amazon retracts it - but it will mean that there's one less place where people can meet and challenge their horrible teachings.

[elle_white]

No, they won't stop selling it if Amazon retracts it. But Amazon is huge retailer and they'd certainly get many customers from there. I can understand wanting to have a place where this book is challenged. But I think it is immoral of Amazon to give people such easy access to what is essentially a child abuse manual and profit from it.

[naye]

And I absolutely agree that this method, this philosophy, and this book is reprehensible. I can't believe the US government takes such a hands-off approach that they let children get tortured to death by their own guardians!

However. I know there are a lot of people who think that gay relationships, erotica, same-sex adoption and a whole slew of other subjects are immoral. And once Amazon starts retracting titles based on customer outrage... Well. You see my point?

[elle_white]

Oh, I definitely see your point. But when children have been severely abused and even died, I feel its essential to do something. Amazon once sold a book advising people how to perpetuate acts of paedophilia and not get caught by authorities. The book was removed Amazon after much public protest. I fully support this.

I really do see where your coming from. But I can't help but think something needs to be done. There's a book readily available to people with an already unhealthy mindset that details what sort of implement a parent should use to hit their four-month-old for crying! It hurts to know people actually do this. I've been around small children and I couldn't imagine doing what this book recommends to any child! I couldn't even treat my dog that way!

[naye]

I think it is better to spend the care and concern for the children who fall victim to these people in ways like contacting the authorities, and working to pass laws that would ban behavior like this.

In Sweden, it's illegal to hit a child. End of story. No, you can't use a "light slap" as discipline. No, you can't spank a child's bottom. No, you can't pull their hair. And the thing is, even with that law, we don't have a country full of rude savages. What we do have are lots of grounds on which concerned daycare personal, friends, relatives and others can get the authorities involved in cases where they suspect children are being abused.

So rather than attacking Amazon, and setting a precedent for removing books on the grounds that a lot of people (that I agree with!) think it's terrible and immoral, I think we should work to make it illegal to follow the practices in the book in question. That way you can get rid of the book and get to the problems behind it.

Of course, the trouble is that this is all happening in the US, and while Amazon.com might care about international customers, US politicians most certainly don't. So. I guess writing Amazon is a way of doing something? And that I can understand.

[elle_white]

I want to do those things too. If I hear about anyone using these methods, I will report them.

I know about that law in Sweden. There have been a number of attempts to introduce Australia, but each time, people have protested greatly, claiming that it's taking away the rights of parents. Many have said its completely ridiculous to ban any corporal punishment of children and think society will fall apart without it. I don't agree at all, but many people have their minds firmly set on it.

I try to help out where I can for children, and I think this one method of helping. I would agree that we shouldn't set a precedent for stopping the production of books, but when are involved, I feel like this is helps in some way.

I can see where you're coming from, I just feel strongly about this. I engage in a debate if I feel it's important, but I sometimes feel anxious about them. I'm starting to panic a bit now. I'm content at this point to agree to disagree with on how to tackle this issue and I'm sorry if I came off as rude.

[naye]

It's okay, I totally see your point. I don't disagree with your standpoint in any way, and I hope that raising awareness in this way will really put this horrible organization on the spot.