Adrian Peterson Case Reveals Divide on Spankings

AP Reactivated and Expected to Play for Vikings Sunday

by John Michaelson/TNS

HOUSTON – It’s a case that has revealed the deep divide across the country over the use of corporal punishment, and as of now, despite the allegations of child abuse out of Texas, Vikings running back Adrian Peterson is back on the field.

Peterson was reactivated Monday by the team after being benched for Sunday’s game. Some are applauding the decision, saying Peterson was simply disciplining his child. Others say he clearly crossed the line, while child-abuse prevention advocate Becky Dale says most importantly, this is an opportunity to raise awareness on the latest research.

“That shows that physical punishment doesn’t have the impact that parents think it does and want. While children may at first comply, it doesn’t actually, over the long term, change the behaviors that we’re trying to change.”

The case against Peterson stems from an incident last May at his home in Montgomery County, Texas, where he allegedly used a small tree branch called a switch to strike his four-year-old son, leaving the child with numerous cuts and bruises.

Peterson says he was “appropriately disciplining” his child, using the same techniques his parents used when he was a boy. Unfortunately, says Dale, the use of corporal punishment teaches kids that violence is an option.

“What the outcomes often are is children who’ve been disciplined physically are much more likely to use physical responses to solve their own problems with their peers and siblings,” says Dale. “So when we use physical discipline, we’re actually teaching kids that when we use when you see something wrong, the way to address it is through hitting.”

Peterson is currently free on $15,000 bond. If his case does go to trial, it likely wouldn’t be until sometime next year.