Don Lemon: Raising a child is like training a dog

The CNN anchor has some seriously mistaken views on child rearing

Published September 18, 2014 2:17PM (EDT)

      (CNN)
(CNN)

On Wednesday evening's edition of "CNN Tonight," hosts Don Lemon and Alisyn Camerota invited Chris Cuomo to the program to discuss the efficacy of corporal punishment on children. Cuomo, having completed an hour-long "20/20" special on the topic, was able to cite decades of research from the Yale Behavioral Center proving that hitting children does not work.

"I don't believe that," replies Lemon. Public Service Announcement: Choosing not to believe in something doesn't make it not true. Moving on.

Lemon argued that his mother would occasionally hit him, and not only was he fine, but he had learned his lessons.

"Listen, I went to training — I hate to do this — with my dog," Lemon continued, "and fear is the same thing," Lemon said. "You have to teach who's in control ... It doesn't matter whether it's fear or what have you, I'm saying this, because it stops you from doing it."

When Camerota and Cuomo attempted to argue with him by saying that a stern talking to could do just as much good without using violence, Lemon remained firm. That could work on some kids, but not on all of them.

"That's why it's called individuals, because we're all different." Is it, though?

h/t Talking Points Memo


By Joanna Rothkopf

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Alisyn Camerota Chris Cuomo Cnn Corporal Punishment Don Lemon Video