I find it hard to believe that Mary Frances Bergamasco`s son will be unaffected by the treatment he has received at the hands of his mother
(”This parent deserves another chance,” Sept 13 Tribune). I also find the question irrelevant. The degradation and humiliation of a child is an immoral act, regardless of its eventual consequences.
Suppose I were to abduct columnist William Raspberry. Suppose further that I were to tie him up and display him publicly, with his face painted blue and a fake pig`s snout on his nose. I suspect Mr. Raspberry would be likely to press criminal charges, and I`m certain my lawyer would be laughed out of court when he said that Mr. Raspberry, who is ”not nearly so fragile as some psychologists contend,” could endure any amount of humiliation, so long as he knew I loved him.
This argument is an obvious farce when the victim is an adult, a mature and intelligent political columist who would be well able to protect himself. How can Mr. Raspberry even think of using it when the victim is a defenseless 7-year-old child?
