Adrian Peterson's whipping of his four-year-old son is "extremely offensive, but is likely part of the culture the Minnesota Vikings running back grew up in, NAACP award-winning author Hilary Beard says.
"Parenting practices including the use of punishment have evolved over time," Beard said Friday on "The Steve Malzberg Show" on
Newsmax TV.
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"Many people do what their parents did automatically though without introspection and corporal punishment can be one of those areas where parents react reflexively …
"The standards for corporal punishment, physical discipline, differ by community … There are many communities that are more likely to spank. Peterson's identity intersects with several of those factors."
Peterson was kept out of last weekend’s game following a child abuse allegation, but cleared to resume team practice this week. The Vikings then flip-flopped and banned him from all team activities.
Beard is co-author with Dr. Joe Brewster and Michele Stephenson of
"Promises Kept: Raising Black Boys to Succeed in School and in Life," published by Spiegel & Grau.
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