Such a lovely family. Sure, just pound your fist on your sister’s head. That’s not abusive at all. And shove some more snow down her underwear while you’re at it, ya creep. But my big brothers never physically hurt me if I ever annoyed them, so I guess I have a weird perspective.
I know these kids were raised in a different time, but yes, my thought was that no way would I allow that kind of behavior in any way – not that kids didn’t do it, especially when they are small, but by the time they are 10 and up say, they should know better. I find this depiction disturbing.
Believe it or not, what Mike did was something all siblings do. I have 3 sisters and 3 brothers. We always fought like cats and dogs, BUT if an outsider bothered even one of us, that outsider had to deal with ALL of us. Picking on a sibling was a form of sibling love. You love them, but you sure do not tell them that, you show it in weird ways.
Ha! Ha! My sister and I poked and whapped each other ALL THE TIME growing up. I would have totally accepted whatever retribution she would have dished out to “punk” her so well! We are on the best of terms now and I don’t beat up my dogs or children…so I don’t think my brain was permamently wired for violence as a result of the earlier tormenting that went on between us.
I joke a lot about how my younger brother and I were at loggerheads from the time he could hit back, but in reality, we were never physical with each other. Words hurt every bit as much as physical blows. Plus we were experts at pushing each other’s buttons to get them into trouble with mom and dad.
Lynn has said in the past that not all violent acts are supposed to be taken as what really happened. She has stated that when she portrays a pot flying at someones head, it is what that character is thinking they want to do at that moment.
For all we know Michale may had wanted to hit Liz that hard, but might not have in ‘reality’.
There’s a terrible story being reported in the news here in Florida about a 9-year-old boy who was found stabbing his 5-year-old sister, and chanting ‘die, die’. When his mother reported this to the police and they came to take him to juvenile hall, he told them that the idea of killing his sister came into his head a few days earlier, and he couldn’t get it out of his head…
I had no idea that the author was bullied and had fights throughout her childhood. It does lend perspective. I submit although this hitting and fighting appears “normal” and acceptable in this society it does not mean it is ok. Women have always been beaten and bullied by their husbands or other male figures in their lives. No one talked about it. The same here – perhaps when you were growing up bullying was “normal” Again that does not make it right; it is wrong on so many levels. One person here wrote that a sibling actually tried to kill him/her and is now in prison. At least today we can talk about abuse and get help. If this discussion is helping someone then it was worth it for Lynn to bring it up again. It may be “natural” for kids to physically fight, but the fact is, it is NOT ok for your children to hit each other for ANY reason. And as one mother mentioned, it is the responsibility for parents to intervene and teach their kids. So many don’t and the result is it gets passed down for generations.
I wonder when we get comic strips like today and people write in about how it is perfectly natural for boys to beat up girls so long as there is “no evidence of physical damage”. Is that the new standard for behaviour? I remember a time when it was considered to be a desirable trait to be respectful of women, even if they were their sisters. It is distressing to read from people who defend the brother who hits his sister.
Templo S.U.D. over 4 years ago
score one for “lizard breath”
Watcher over 4 years ago
More practice for you Mike, with the new baby on the way.
suv2000 over 4 years ago
fuzzbucket Premium Member over 4 years ago
Does that mean he turned down the gig?
Tantor over 4 years ago
What a mean canadian boy indeed
jpayne4040 over 4 years ago
She wasn’t wrong.
Caldonia over 4 years ago
Such a lovely family. Sure, just pound your fist on your sister’s head. That’s not abusive at all. And shove some more snow down her underwear while you’re at it, ya creep. But my big brothers never physically hurt me if I ever annoyed them, so I guess I have a weird perspective.
godess_of_fire078 over 4 years ago
Well it was a girl calling, just not what Michael was expecting
vaughnrl2003 Premium Member over 4 years ago
Well, she set him up and he Bopped her for it. I’m thinking someone will be calling the police about assault and battery any time now. …sigh
jango over 4 years ago
Maybe he shoulda given her “noogies” instead!
William Taylor over 4 years ago
Sister!! Yuk………….
Gerard:D over 4 years ago
Lynn’s Comments:
It’s harder now to listen in to other people’s phone calls. Today, cell phones can create much bigger problems!
Caerin Premium Member over 4 years ago
I know these kids were raised in a different time, but yes, my thought was that no way would I allow that kind of behavior in any way – not that kids didn’t do it, especially when they are small, but by the time they are 10 and up say, they should know better. I find this depiction disturbing.
artheaded1 over 4 years ago
Love it! Brings back some great memories of my brother & I antagonizing each other!
dv1093 over 4 years ago
Now this was both funny and harmless. Score one for Elizabeth.
DaveQuinn over 4 years ago
Believe it or not, what Mike did was something all siblings do. I have 3 sisters and 3 brothers. We always fought like cats and dogs, BUT if an outsider bothered even one of us, that outsider had to deal with ALL of us. Picking on a sibling was a form of sibling love. You love them, but you sure do not tell them that, you show it in weird ways.
Snolep over 4 years ago
I’m an only child and had no clue about this stuff until I had my own kids. Now I know this is spot on!
cemunsey Premium Member over 4 years ago
Ha! Ha! My sister and I poked and whapped each other ALL THE TIME growing up. I would have totally accepted whatever retribution she would have dished out to “punk” her so well! We are on the best of terms now and I don’t beat up my dogs or children…so I don’t think my brain was permamently wired for violence as a result of the earlier tormenting that went on between us.
Night-Gaunt49[Bozo is Boffo] over 4 years ago
I would never think of doing that to my younger brothers.
Jan C over 4 years ago
I joke a lot about how my younger brother and I were at loggerheads from the time he could hit back, but in reality, we were never physical with each other. Words hurt every bit as much as physical blows. Plus we were experts at pushing each other’s buttons to get them into trouble with mom and dad.
Comicgirl81 over 4 years ago
Lynn has said in the past that not all violent acts are supposed to be taken as what really happened. She has stated that when she portrays a pot flying at someones head, it is what that character is thinking they want to do at that moment.
For all we know Michale may had wanted to hit Liz that hard, but might not have in ‘reality’.
Argythree over 4 years ago
There’s a terrible story being reported in the news here in Florida about a 9-year-old boy who was found stabbing his 5-year-old sister, and chanting ‘die, die’. When his mother reported this to the police and they came to take him to juvenile hall, he told them that the idea of killing his sister came into his head a few days earlier, and he couldn’t get it out of his head…
Caerin Premium Member over 4 years ago
I had no idea that the author was bullied and had fights throughout her childhood. It does lend perspective. I submit although this hitting and fighting appears “normal” and acceptable in this society it does not mean it is ok. Women have always been beaten and bullied by their husbands or other male figures in their lives. No one talked about it. The same here – perhaps when you were growing up bullying was “normal” Again that does not make it right; it is wrong on so many levels. One person here wrote that a sibling actually tried to kill him/her and is now in prison. At least today we can talk about abuse and get help. If this discussion is helping someone then it was worth it for Lynn to bring it up again. It may be “natural” for kids to physically fight, but the fact is, it is NOT ok for your children to hit each other for ANY reason. And as one mother mentioned, it is the responsibility for parents to intervene and teach their kids. So many don’t and the result is it gets passed down for generations.
howtheduck over 4 years ago
I wonder when we get comic strips like today and people write in about how it is perfectly natural for boys to beat up girls so long as there is “no evidence of physical damage”. Is that the new standard for behaviour? I remember a time when it was considered to be a desirable trait to be respectful of women, even if they were their sisters. It is distressing to read from people who defend the brother who hits his sister.