Red-hot family bonding time

[alula_auburn]

So, we've recently done circ'ing, piercing and tattoos--what about branding? (No, not the corporate kind.)

Dad on trial for branding kids
Trial of father who branded his children like cattle goes to closing argumentsPORT ANGELES - Closing arguments are expected this afternoon in the assault trial of a Sequim man who branded his three children

Comments

[misskass]

They asked him to do it and gave their consent, so I don't think he should be punished. A small, properly cared for brand isn't really problematic. =\

[deathjoy]

I totally agree with this but am amazed anyone else does.

[misskass]

♥ I was preparing myself for a total textual onslaught when I saw that someone had replied to me. I feel like we'll be a minority.

[darth_snarky]

I totally read this as "poorly-cared for" as in "hey, the burns'll heal up eventually, no biggie." But it does sound like it's a tradition on his side of the family, so they probably have some idea of what to do.

[ohhvelocitygirl]

if the kids consented, then.... I mean I know plenty of kids who got tattoos at that age. I got my nose pierced at 15. I guess my answer depends on the other parent's opinion. if she's cool with it then... have at it?

[alula_auburn]

She's definitely not cool with it, and there seems to be at least a very bitter divorce proceeding it. (There are also, in the comment threads, a bunch of allegations about the mother being a drug addict, but I didn't want to get too tangential in the main post.)

[ohhvelocitygirl]

well, then. have fun in court bro.

[alula_auburn]

Yeah, I decided to edit a little bit about the mother/divorce into the post.

[moonlitdorian]

No you cannot brand your children.
Parental abuse doesn't become not-abuse because the children can say that they're okay with it.
Allowances should be made for traditional rituals, but this is not that.
I don't know if it merits prison time, but this is not okay. It is also different from their getting body modifications of other kinds because of the parent-child dynamic.

[kioskgirl]

If the branding was done by a body mod artist instead of the dad would that make a difference in your mind?

[tiajuanabible]

not ok.

[mellybrelly]

Exactly, who knows how much pressure dad put on them, or their emotional state at the time.

[alula_auburn]

I feel it's extra creepy in the context of a bitter divorce--I feel like they could well have been pressure to demonstrate allegiance with their dad, and even if the mom is a drug addict or otherwise unstable, I just think that could really backfire.

[anaralia]

LOL this is one of those questions that I didn't bother to answer last night because I figured all the answers would be predictable and unanimous. Surely the Booj wouldn't be ok with this shit. Shows what I know.