Even from a strictly monstrous perspective, hitting your children is still monumentally stupid. It only works until they're old enough to hit back. And believe me: they will hit back, and a youth in their prime is gonna murk an alcoholic smoker with a dad bod.

All it teaches is that strength wins. You aren't gonna be strong forever, and they're gonna be stronger for longer because that's how time works. And you've also potentially created another monster. I'm glad I escaped that cycle. My kids' biggest fear right now is that I won't let them play outside if they don't keep their masks on.