Justice Thomas and fatherhood

Does this show how Thomas (and Rod?) see(s) discipline as the principal value in raising children? (cf. Lakoff's Moral Politics for a discussion of all this in the context of the moralities of right and left)

Haven't read the book. My understanding is Rod's analysis is correct, that Mr. Anderson was a demanding parent. But the impression SUllivan's post is that Anderson was 24/7 nonstop disciplinarian, and there's no way in any family anyone could be that hard all the time. May be Anderson's idea of affection isn't quite what Beltway pundits in 2007 would think ideal. But so what? Look at the results, and Justice Thomas clearly still loves the man and his memory. And he couldn't have been a hardass all the time or both his grandsons would've blown him off way before they grew up.

And my other suspicion is that Sullivan, like many people who are not (yet?)parents, doesn't understand that once you are a parent, you cannot always be pals with your kids. There are days when you have to be hard(and I'm talkiing about being the "bad guy", not being physical), or you aren't doing your job. There's no great irony or subtlety when you're raising kids. You do what you have to do. Think about that the next time you see a hot and bothered parent dragging a disobedient child out of ToysRUs in the mall.

"The social consensus has shifted on beating your kids and using the kind of cruel disinterest Thomas' grandfather appeared to demonstrate. He was a product of his time. It's hard to get beyond that, since we've seen the ramifications of those kinds of approaches with children."

The social consensus is right of course. I mean look at how well adjust and upstanding today's youth are. Those poor kids raised under strict discipline never got to experience the self-centered hedonism and materialism like todays kids. Oh and don't forget the rainbow parties. What character the baby boomers have instilled in their children!

"Those poor kids raised under strict discipline never got to experience the self-centered hedonism and materialism like todays kids."

That's because the grew up to be dysfunctional adults, thus leading to the 1960s and 1970s. Remember, the sainted grandfather raised Thomas' dad, who abandoned his own son. So much for successful parenting and the impact of not sparing the rod.

A generation of alcoholics, child abusers, and wife beaters would suggest that maybe that strict discipline wasn't all it was cracked up to be.

Or maybe it is just that this whole conversation on such a prudential aspect of life is completely ridiculous?

A generation of alcoholics, child abusers, and wife beaters would suggest that maybe that strict discipline wasn't all it was cracked up to be.

Generalize much? The data indicates that alcoholics are more likely to raise alcoholics, child abusers more likely to raise child abusers and wife beaters more likely to raise wife beaters. I'd like to see the data on task masters.

Oh, and Anderson was Thomas' maternal grandfather. Thus, it's a leap to lay Thomas' dad's behavior at Anderson's feet.