No Consistency
Well, as an Englishman living in Spain, I know all about the differences between what I consider to be respect and discipline, but the kids over here seem to be getting worse. I just see parents letting their kids get away with murder as they just can’t be bothered to discipline them or maintain any sort of consistency with their upbringing.

Parenting
I’m a father of two girls (9 and 2), we don’t need to beat our kids, we just “consistently” show them what is right and what isn’t acceptable. Kids need rules to follow, and those rules need to applied ALL the time. You can’t let them bounce on the bed one day, then scream at them the next for doing exactly the same thing. In fact, even shouting at them all the time isn’t the answer, they become accustomed to it, they see you lose control, and lose a little respect for you each time. Calmly telling them no, and explaining why, is far more effective. No kids are 100% angels, they all try to cross the line, and may need a quick smack on the arse if they go too far. (Incidentally it’s illegal to hit your kids here in Spain, they can report you to the police and have you arrested!)

Teenager assaults old woman in broad daylight and goes free
A couple of days ago, I was absolutely disgusted with Spanish society, lack of respect and above all by the police.
We were at the park with our two kids, the park was full and there were people everywhere. There was a slight disturbance down the street, and apparently an old woman who constantly suffers abuse from a group of teenagers who hang around by the park, finally lost it and told them what she thought of them. One of the boys followed her down the road and punched her in the head leaving blood on the floor and the woman needing stitches. We were all shocked at how the boy just arrogantly shook it off when somebody asked what the hell he thought he was doing.
The police and an ambulance arrived, along with the boy’s parents (who defended him as being a saint). We were all waiting to see him get carted off, but no. After a little chat, they just let him go home with his parents.

That is the message that the Police and parents are giving to their kids. You can assault old people in the street in broad daylight and “no pasa nada”.

We live in a country full of “pasotes” and “conformistas”. I just can’t believe that society is so numb, that they can just say “oh well” to this kind of behavior. But it’s commonplace.

Tags: Assualt, Barcelona, pensioner, teenager