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Isabel1969 asked this question about Olive Kitteridge (Olive Kitteridge, #1):
SPOILER. Was anyone else bothered by how casually Olive says toward the end that she hit her son (not just spanked - hit)?
Ramona When you discover that Olive was hitting her son, rather than a spanking, if it was for something he did, that is wrong. Olive was very guilty of beli…moreWhen you discover that Olive was hitting her son, rather than a spanking, if it was for something he did, that is wrong. Olive was very guilty of belittling her son, so she used verbal abuse as well. I think of the time period this is about. Parenting was quite different then. We learn of her childhood a little bit, and have to realize that she might not have grown up with a parent who loved her, or showed kindness. In years past, physical punishment from very loving parents was the norm. Most children grew up without complexes or hatred of their parents. Sadly as in every generation, there are cruel parents whose punishments are a crime. There is a right way to parent and a wrong way, but it is difficult to find a balance, so that you do not raise spoiled, disrespectful, unappreciative children...which is very prevalent in our society today. I raised my children differently, as do my children. They do not always appreciate our advice, but they know how they were raised. I think this book should be required reading for all parents. Take a look inside our selves and see what our children see.(less)
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Olive Kitteridge
by Elizabeth Strout (Goodreads Author)
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