"Spare the rod, spoil the child." What is a "rod"?

Question

I don't believe in spanking! I was just curious about what a rod is.

Answer 1

Rod is used in construction. It comes in two forms. Plain and all gnarled up. YOu use the gnarled one for naughty kids and the plain one for nerdy kids... just kidding.

I do not believe in spanking either and neither did my parents. OUR Prophet Muhammad said to us to treat our kids as the parents of all our future generations that will come in their lineage.
Dignity should be given to children, and those who are extra naughty are looking for attention. My father taught me that you do not even hit a horse (his father had a big stable of good horses), let alone a child.

BUT, people who have always been hit may think that is the way to go. I also believe it could mean that you raise the child properly.

You put a stick initially to make a tree grow straight, if you do not help it grow properly at the early stages of life, it may turn crooked. In a more symbolic manner, it could mean spend time and energy and effort to raise your children straight and upright.

May child beating come to an end.

Answer 2

A loving tool...not 'always' literal...it's discipline, which, according to the Bible is 'heard', not 'felt'... Bible counsels children to "Hear/Listen to discipline" (certainly no abuse)

Children are not naturally inclined to do the right thing. It is as the inspired Bible proverb says: “Foolishness is tied up with the heart of a boy; the rod of discipline is what will remove it far from him.” (Prov. 22:15)
The word “discipline” has the thought of giving training that molds and corrects. Thus it involves frequent repetition of instruction so that the child is motivated to comply with it.
But discipline involves more. As most parents well know, a child is often not corrected simply by words. <<<
(Prov. 29:17, 19) Therefore disciplinary training may also include chastisement or punishment administered with the purpose of correcting the child.
But should this form of discipline ever include spanking? Is there truth to the old adage: “Spare the rod and spoil the child”?

So-called authorities on rearing children frequently say: ‘No, the child should never be spanked. Avoid frustrating the child by using such strong measures to change his natural inclinations.’ A New York Times editorial, April 5, 1972, said: “‘Spare the rod and spoil the child’ is a wrong-headed adage that continues to get approving nods from upholders of ‘the old virtues.’" <
But is this view correct? Is it a mistake to use physical punishment for the purpose of correcting a child’s wrong course of conduct?

God is man’s Creator. There is no higher authority. His Word is very clear on the matter. It says: “Do not hold back discipline from the mere boy." The life of the child is at stake. If he is allowed to pursue a wrong course, it will lead to his own unhappiness ... Thus the Bible says: “The one holding back his rod is hating his son, but the one loving him is he that does look for him with discipline.” (Prov. 13:24) It shows real love on the part of a parent to do whatever he can to correct his child...yes, firmly.

Children, for their own benefit, need such discipline.

.> “Rod” is used also to symbolize the authority of parents over their children. The book of Proverbs makes many references to this authority, the term symbolizing >all forms< of discipline used, including the literal rod at times. The parent is actually responsible before God to exercise this rod, controlling the child. If the parent fails in this, eventually he will bring ruination and death to his child and disgrace and God’s disapproval to himself also. (Pr 10:1; 15:20; 17:25; 19:13) " In fact,
“the one holding back his rod is hating his son, but the one loving him is he that does look for him with loving discipline.” Pr 13:24; 19:18; 29:15

Answer 3

A rod is a stick; like in the old days they used to spank with paddles and sticks and whips and stuff. Well in today's world chastisement is a form of a rod. So in other words, Spare chastisement, spoil the child rotten.

Answer 4

It's a stick. And for the record I didn't believe in spanking either until I'd been a parent for more than 10 years. Then I learned that spanking, when applied with calm discipline, is an effective teaching tool when other methods to discipline are not effective.

Answer 5

Its the rod of correction. Nothing wrong with spanking, there is a big difference between abuse and discipline. Not all kids need to be spanked but most do. Just dont do it for the "fun" of it.

Answer 6

It's a way to discipline children. Since you don't believe in spanking, you could see the rod as representing discipline.

Answer 7

The rod of discipline.

It's the unbending rule. It's the rule that says "do not cross the street" to a toddler. It's unbendable, unbreakable and no excuses for messing it up lol.

That line is so misunderstood. It simply means that if you let your child off the hook all the time, bend the rules every time, it spoils them, literally.

How many of us have heard a mom say "if you don't behave I'm going to take you out of here" and they never do? That's spoiling the child.

Answer 8

If your wondering, the bible doesn't say to spare the rod and spoil the child. It actually says that if you love them you will and they won't die from it either...Go figure.

Proverbs 23:13
Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die.

Proverbs 29:15
The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother.

Answer 9

A big heavy rigid stick used by primitive parents to beat their children.

Answer 10

It's some sort of device for giving a child physical discipline when they have misbehaved.