A Moderate Bit of Violence

Aristotle, father of Pythias, is famous for (among other things) the idea that we should enjoy "all things in moderation." And that, boys and girls, includes violence.

MODERATION YES. So, it is a wonderful and all-praiseworthy idea that a father and son should take a 50-day, 50-state fishing trip as planned by the Turners of Warennton, Va. With the son headed off to college and life soon they decided to do a bit of male bonding over the occassional dead fish before beginning the separation that comes with adulthood.

MODERATION NO. Not so marvelous are the bonding ideas of two gentlemen of Derry, N.H. Father Primeau and father Dearborn believed that the way to get close to their boys was to encourage them to clobber other kids. Encouraging their sons in their hobbies, one drove the young master to where he could, hopefully, "knock him out" and the other was content to reside on the sidelines, having sent instructions to "smash" and "step on his head."

Briefly, then. Bonding involving moderate violence against fish: usually good. Bonding involving immoderate violence against others: usually bad.

Lesson learned?