Giving children anti-depressants.

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   sandra rinckposted 14 years ago

   I think ledef left a comment of one of my hubs about how when most of us were children, our parents gave us the belt when we misbehaved, today spanking your kids for misbehaving is called "inhumane"...
   
   By contrast, it is considered "humane" to pump your kids full of drugs to get them under control, unnaturally altering them and eventually leading them down the path of habitual drug use to "deal" with their emotions all the while they have never learned to deal with them on their own.
   
   Now how or why is this?  Are parents and teachers and doctors etc.. trying to take the easy way out?  I know children are children and will do as children do, we did our kids do but our parents would be damned if we got the easy way out. 
   
   My personal belief is that I will not pump my kid up full of drugs just to get her under control.
   
   Some argue that it is child abuse to not give your kids these drugs when it could help them right now.
   
   Other argue that physical discipline is child abuse.. a swat on the bum. 
   
   What do you think?

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      tksenseiposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      If it makes you feel any better, sooner or later they will do the same to you.

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      goodfriendiamposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I guess, it all depends on how you are as a parent, how your children will act, so if a parent is one who is strict with no tolerance and the child has no other means to cope and rebels because of such said circumstance then by all means take away his suffering (though more then likely. But if on the other hand it is a simple child that defies his parents for the fun of it, then he needs a good whipping on the rump, to set him straight.
      
      I don't agree to just giving kids medication just because.
      
      I do agree to spanking on the behind, regardless of what anyone says.
      
      I had a customer tell me one time, that her daughter told her she was calling child services on her, and her mother looked her dead in the eyes and said well you may right after I give you a good whipping, because I won't ever see you again, because they will put you in foster care, and who knows what.

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      Davinagirl3posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I have noticed this and I think it is all about money, and desperate parents.  I don't think that these parents are purposely drugging their children.  I think a lot of these parents are naive and don't question their doctors.  Pharmaceutical companies get tons of money to drug children.  The thing that gets me is that it is speed that they are given.  Ritalyn is speed.

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         sandra rinckposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         *shutter* speed?  Oy... Possibly, parents are afraid of being told they are abusing or neglecting their children if they don't give them the drugs.

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            Davinagirl3posted 14 years agoin reply to this

            Psychiatrists are telling parents that their children have a "disease" called ADHD.  The medications that they prescribe actually do calm their children down, but at what cost.  I had a boss who's son was on Ritalyn for years.  He got old enough to realize that it was making him high and he stopped taking it on his own.  His mother was actually mad at him for refusing to take his meds.  She said she couldn't "handle" him without them.  It makes one wonder if the medication is for the children, or the parents.

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      Mishaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I am with you on this Sandy

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         Madame Xposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         I agree too.
         
         But I'm sure you've heard the old saying "Ritalin! - So much easier than parenting."

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   Colebabieposted 14 years ago

   I didn't have either But I am not a parent, so until I'm in those shoes...

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   sandra rinckposted 14 years ago

   Because politics is involved when determining whether or not it is ethical to give your children drugs, or decide what is considered child abuse and what is not considered child abuse.

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   sandra rinckposted 14 years ago

   If I thought it would be better there then I would have put it there.

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   sandra rinckposted 14 years ago

   Did you just come to troll?  Or would you actually like to contribute something other then .....?

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   readytoescapeposted 14 years ago

   Spanking is a lost art. My Mom used to use a hair brush and then as we got bigger than her a shoe on us. We learned. Sort of. Well what she intended us to. As the the drugs see my hub posted a couple days ago.
   
   http://hubpages.com/hub/ADHDGettingYourChildInvolved
   
   At least one case I know of that the drug properly perscribed worked the way it is advertised, but not they way many want to use it.

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      readytoescapeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

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      sandra rinckposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Well I just read it and a couple things stand out, which is the basis for the discussion in the first place.
      
      1. The boy was already very smart, had no cognitive troubles whatsoever. He was a social kid and very good about giving instruction and understanding how things worked.
      
      2. The teachers decided that because Ritche like to talk and be social that he had a problem and their problem with him resulted in giving him drugs.
      
      3.  As he got a little bit older, he became frustrated... seems not so much because he couldn't do the work assigned to him but because the drugs he had been taking made him less motivated or less inspired to do the work assigned to him.  Plus it didn't help that he was labeled and pretty much outcast and also demoted to special ed on accounts of him not being intrigued and from being neglected by the teachers.
      
      4. Eventually this turned into frustration because instead of giving him things that were mentally stimulating and supporting his social development without drugs, they did the opposite.
      
      5. As stated in the OP, eventually he chose that more drugs was the answer.
      
      Do you see the correlation?
      
      -your a very good writer btw-

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         readytoescapeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         One point you may have missed (our I wasn't clear) Ritchie was not on any "therapy" in his younger years. He only began taking the Adderrall substitue a year or so ago. His parents absolutely refused to give in to the teachers and Guidance Counselors.
         
         Thank you  for the compliment, High praise from a "Hubber" of your stauture. Fantastic Pic too!

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   blue dogposted 14 years ago

   children are being overdosed by big pharma.  parents take the easy way out.  doctors, dependent upon the kickbacks from big pharma, while anxiously awaiting the next visit by big pharma's pretty little sales rep in her tiny black dress, generously help the parents along the path of easy. 
   
   in a society of sensationalism, the concept of discipline has been muddied by the term "abuse."
   it's easy for today's child to scream abuse, not fully aware of where their undisciplined behavior is leading them.
   
   without discipline there is no respect.  without respect there is no love.  too many children today are the alphas in their parents' homes.

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      tksenseiposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I notice that almost every post you make contains the words "big pharma" somewhere in it.

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         sandra rinckposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Maybe there is a problem with "big pharma".

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         blue dogposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         i've noticed that every post you make brings nothing to any of the discussions.

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            tksenseiposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            I wonder what big pharma thinks about that?

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               frogdroppingposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               Behave tksensei - stop tormenting

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      sandra rinckposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I agree mostly.  I am having issue with this at the moment myself and most of this was from the muddied association with what is abuse and what is discipline.  In which case my own kid has taken the alpha role and I am putting my foot down to change this but I wont do drugs. 
      
      There is nothing wrong with her. 
      
      The other part is the I think that the "farms" are breeding children to come back for more.  I don't know if it is intentional but it is what is happening. 
      
      Creating addictions at a young age which results in more voluntary drug use when they get older.

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      Lisa HWposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Children learn respect when they're treated with respect (and live with examples of people who respect others).  They also tend to respect a parent who can be in charge without resorting to hitting.  One of the problems with raising kids hitting them is that they never learn it is possible to teach a child right from wrong without hitting them.  They grow up and think it's "either no teaching them or hitting them".
      
      As someone raised by parents who didn't hit, and as someone who had three noticeably well behaved, nice, little kids; I've seen that nice, well behaved, children who respect themselves and others can be raised without anyone ever hitting anyone.  The added benefit is that they are now three adults who know that too. 
      
      It is now known that hitting children is not the most effective way to parent, and although it may seem to work for the minute it isn't, in the long run, the best or most effective thing.  It's also known that one thing bullies tend to have in common is that they live with violence (and being hit is violent) in the home.
      
      So often you'll see online things like, "My child bites; how can I stop him?" and "My child hits other children; how can I stop him?"   When my kids were little I'd make it clear, "If you're angry or upset we can talk about it, but we aren't having any hurting people in our house."  How can parents teach children not to hurt others when the parents, themselves, think it's ok (and even advisable) to hurt people who are smaller than they are?!!  (And I'm not talking about abusive violence - just the "regular" kind of violence that so many people seem to think is so necessary.)  Kids may forgive their parents because they grow up to know their parents didn't know any better, or else they grow up thinking that's the only way to have children who behave well.  Neither of those is the ideal outcome.

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         goodfriendiamposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         I agree to most of your comment, but there is the rare child, that is down right to curious for there own good, and there are those children, that no amount of respect or loving firmness, with words teaches them. But a good swat on the behind leaves them with an impression, that there actions won't be tolerated, so that these "wild childs" grow to know they can not walk all over people and get what they want.

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   frogdroppingposted 14 years ago

   None of my children suffered with anything that required behaviour controlling (or modifying?) drugs.
   
   However, a friend of mine has a son that suffers from aspergers. Saying he's a handful is an understatement. From the off, he was presribed Ritalin. She wouldn't use it. She's always managed his behaviour herself.
   
   Her biggest prooblem was the schools. I remember the rows she had (with educational staff/ boards) because she wouldn't dose him up before school.
   
   On the other hand, I have another friend that daily fills her child with drugs - and it's arguable as to whether he really needs them.
   
   I know the child, I know how he's raised. I'm not 100% convinced that the he needs drugs quite as much as his parents need to practice good parenting.

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   rsmalloryposted 14 years ago

   spare the rod, spoil the child...I think parents have gotten lazy when it comes to discipline. There is a distinct difference between discipline and abuse. If my child is misbehaving or is disrespectful and has been talked to about correcting his behavior, if he continues he will be disciplined. That is the consequence for his behavior and I make that clear in the warning. The main difference between the two is that discipline is based on rational thinking and never dealt in anger or an altered state such as when you have been drinking. My son is now 11 and has a total of about 3-4 spankings his whole life. He looses privelages first and a spanking is always a last resort, but he knows it will come if he continues to make bad choices. I always make it clear through calm conversation why he is being punished so that next time he can make better choices.
   
   As for the drug issue, my sister thought my neice was a little hyper as a young child. My sister requested she be put on ritalin. She spent weekends with my husband and I and her mom would always send her with her meds, but we never gave them to her. We were firm with her so that she understood she had to behave or she would face consequences. She always behaved well for us. She has a completely different attitude with us as opposed to her mother because she knows what she can and can not get away with at our house.
   
   I think in some cases meds may be needed, but I think in most cases it is over diagnosed and those children need clear boundaries set for them and parents that are willing to stick to them.

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      sandra rinckposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I think your right, they give it out like candy.  Do it enough it becomes the norm, anything outside of that is neglect or abuse.

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    Plants and Oilsposted 14 years ago

    I don't think it's drugs or physical discipline, though. You don't need either.
    
    I think drugs (of any kind) are a last resort. They can be wonderful and life-saving, but everything has side-effects.
    
    I was never punished physically as a child, but in other ways. And as a parent, I've never smacked either.

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       Davinagirl3posted 14 years agoin reply to this

       I agree. I don't think that it is a choice between spanking or drugging.  I believe that Sandra just used the double standard as an example to get a conversation going.  It is true that drugs can be more dangerous than the occasional spanking.  It is ironic that drugs are more acceptable than spankings.

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          goodfriendiamposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          No ,it is an attempt at controlling the masses. Its like giving candy to a baby, then taking it away. They want the control. When you look like the good guy, don't we all want to trust. But then you get a little closer, and you smell the stench. Bam it's to late they got yea with addiction to addictive prescription drugs.

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             sandra rinckposted 14 years agoin reply to this

             Actually it's both.  The irony is that giving children drugs is more acceptable then the occasional spanking AND it is also ironic that when you give children drugs at an early age, they grow up with drug addictions... something that we are constantly trying to overcome AND by doing so, all control is being taken away from the parents and the children making the drug problem a political factor in why drug addiction and broken families are more common now then ever before.
             
             Drug companies need naive parents to keep the drugs on the market by creating new problems. Now that is irony.

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    lrohnerposted 14 years ago

    This is so sad and yet so true. I lived in Miami for six years when I had kids in elementary, middle and high school. I had heard about the "pill moms" in elementary, but didn't believe it until I was at the school one day and saw a line of children march into the office to take their prozac. I was shocked!!! I then found out that my son was a "buddy" to one of the "prozac" kids. In other words, he had to accompany this kid to the office to get his meds every day.

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       sandra rinckposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Remarkable isn't it? I think parents need to man up and be parents. Shute, I have a hard time with my own kid but the last thing I would consider doing (though in my dreams it sounds so nice, lol) is dose them up with drugs.  *shaking my head*

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          goodfriendiamposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          In defense of the parents, they either have there own demons to conquer knowingly or not. So I won't go down that road so fast.

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             sandra rinckposted 14 years agoin reply to this

             But the parents need to deal with themselves not change their kids to suit their disabilities.  To me that is child abuse.

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                goodfriendiamposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                Exactly! good point. though some don't know they have a problem. look at some of the people here that think, their just peachy they way they are.

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                   sandra rinckposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                   true, you also make a very good point.

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             lrohnerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

             I agree with Sandra. The keyword in what you said is "their own demons" -- not their kids' demons. For the amount of kids I saw on Prozac from well-off families? Nuh uh. Not buying it. While there may be some cases like you describe who are just ignorant, what I saw was wealthy families just being lazy and self-absorbed.

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                goodfriendiamposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                Yea but how can they see, if they can't even see themselves?

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                   sandra rinckposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                   Some of these parents just might be on drugs themselves.   I guess it might fall into that old cleche' about what is good for the goose is good for the gander.

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                   lrohnerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                   I'm not saying that what you are describing doesn't happen. I'm saying that in my experience, that isn't the case. It's just wealthy, self-absorbed people that never should have had kids that do it so that they can continue to be self-absorbed.

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                      sandra rinckposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                      I am going to guess that this happens about 98% of the time.

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    Eaglekiwiposted 14 years ago

    Anti-depressants for kids???
    
    What the...
    
    Tis lazy or ignorant parenting ,thats my opinion. And I say ignorant because often some parents really think their child is out of control because of some genetic disposal -yea it is 'their genes'
    
    I worked with special needs kids for 10 yrs, mostly 3-6yrs old.
    Many (not all)ADS Attention deficent syndrome kids were fine with behavioral manangement ( that thing we called boundaries and rules when we were kids)...and honestly many parents ,yea the big people were the ones who were hyperactive!!
    
    I would watch them collect their little darlings and even befoe they walked out the gate ,it was the PARENTS who would be yelling ,screaming , an acting irrationally. So I say ignorant ,because sadly some adults think its normal to pop a pill at the slightest hint of perceieved stress. They never learned to cope, and drag their kids to the nearest Doctor who will promptly sign them up for the meds.
    
    My parents had 9 kids all up,so smacks n cuddles all had their place...
    Did we grow up to be violent -No
    Did we learn early how to keep out of trouble -Yes (well most of us did , the boys always like to challenge the physical realms ,but that do, if guided seemed to have positive spin-offs in the end..showing itself in sporting achievements etc.
    
    Interestingly though New Zealand 3 yrs ago ,introduced the "No Smacking Bill" basically its intention was good ( to send the message to child abusers ,a zero tolerance ) and to be fair the bill did not enforce a total ban on smacking ,but the grey areas such as 'reasonable force' became confusing for everyone( including Police ,Child Care Protectors etc)
    This last month has seen that same bill up for reveiw to correct the flaws.
    
    I do think child abuse is disgusting and would never hesitate to help any child who was being hurt ,but its not normal adjusted people that need these laws ,is it?
    
    Its the ones who never had the right discipline/training all those years ago.

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    Shai@WyldEdgeposted 14 years ago

    Hi, new hubber here go easy on me
    
    one point to consider in this discussion:
    
    Societal pressure on parents to have "perfect" children in public is extreme. How many times have you been anoyed by a screaming child throwing a fit in public (or been embarrased by your own kid going nuts in public). Many peple will even make comments either to other people around them or directly to the parent about what they are doing wrong. This pressure is present in schools as well and parents many times will feel obligated to give in to it. Societis current answer for behavior problems is the kid must have hyperactivity dissorder and should be turned into a ritalin zombie so the rest of us can be comfortable around him.
    
    I believe that to a certian degree mental or personality disorders like add, anxiety, and depression are real. They are difficult to difinitively diagnose, and it is dificult to know when treatment is necesary to aid normal developement in children. Many adults grow up with undiagnosed add and do notice problems later on in life regarding inabilities to reach thier full potential in thier careers, shooling, or even family lives. It is a sad realization to come upon as an adult that your parents could have done something but did not know what or how, it can feel like you were neglected or overlooked even if it isn't true. Maybe this is where the people are coming from that say it is abusive not to treat children.
    
    I don't think that treament equals dosing children with drugs. It is better to do as other posters have said and give children boundries and guidelines, and also teach them coping skills to help them with thier particular hurdles. They can decide as informed adults if they wish to take medication or not.
    
    The only drugs I will give my children is tylenol, cold medicine, and the occasional round of atibiotics, I even use those only when absolutely nesecary. I will however give them a swift swat on the bum if I catch them digging around in the medicine cabinet.

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