Similar to our other forms of communication, most of our family rules were unspoken. My family rules were very traditional and typical of a Black American family. Proverbs 13:24 (NIV) states: “Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.” This verse was the cornerstone of my nuclear and extended family alike for most of my childhood. We received beatings and whoopings publicly, privately, and unexpectedly for all things, especially disrespect.
As children, we were taught to respect those older than us and those in authority by never questioning them. This was difficult in my teen years because disagreement of opinion or facts equated to disrespect, and I learned to seldom voice
As children, we were taught to respect those older than us and those in authority by never questioning them. This was difficult in my teen years because disagreement of opinion or facts equated to disrespect, and I learned to seldom voice