AGAINST

Yan Xin

Professor with National Institute of Education Sciences

Physical punishment is against the principles of qualification-oriented education, which advocates students' all-round development. The traditional belief that nothing can be accomplished without norms or standards still maintains a profound impact on current education. But education should provide students with more space to develop their personalities and help them make responsible choices.

If parents raise children by just beating them, their children may be well-behaved. But if the beatings continue, it would deaden the child's personality, which is against the purpose of education.

I disagree to Xiao's explanations of what he did to his children and believe he is ruling as a dictator since he asks his children to remain obedient unconditionally. These practices will not foster children to be creative but will enslave them, making them lose their carefree childhood, which they're entitled to have.

Tao Gongcai

Eastday.com

I doubt the wolf dad's education is successful. He adopted an extreme approach that should not be a model for other parents.

Having good academic performance and getting enrolled into prestigious universities does not offer solid evidence for successful education. Children, who are brought up with frequent physical punishments, do well in exams, but they may struggle with psychological trauma, which could linger for the rest of their lives and affect their mental stability. It's too costly to get good scores at the expense of leaving a child's inner heart depressed, twisted and unhappy. 

Moreover, physical punishment is not the decisive reason why his children are enrolled in Peking University. School education and children's hard-work habits remain indispensable. The wolf dad's parenting is not instructive and should be regarded as a negative example.

Deng Huilin

Blog.sina.com.cn

I disapprove of Xiao's physical punishment of his children, although he feels justified.

Children are too young to resist their father's rules and they become resentful. Xiao reigns through a dictatorship and infringes on his children's personal rights. If his beatings caused physical harm, even a slight injury, he should be punished by the law.

Physical punishment, despite the circumstances and method, is incorrect. Young children are citizens and are entitled with the right to personal dignity. Minors are protected by special laws and regulations due to their physical and psychological vulnerabilities. However, in the eyes of the wolf dad, he shows no awareness to protect his children's rights but only maintains the traditional belief that a father beating his offspring should be considered acceptable.