My opinion is that humans are capable of incredible self control if they choose to exercise it. The more they're taught that lesson and learn their own strength and capabilities, the better.
Of course I'm empathetic with the kid you described. I'm saying he can rise above it though. You're saying he can't. We'll have to agree to disagree on that.
Would you say that it's wrong to slap people on the face then, or that the person being slapped should treat it as a lesson in learning their own strength and capabilities.
> I'm saying he can rise above it though. You're saying he can't.
He didn't say the kid can't rise above it. You assumed that.
I would say that the kid is not necessarily able to rise above it. But I would go further to say that it's not the kid's responsibility to have to rise above that at all, which I think is the point that's being missed here.
Just because your victim might be able to withstand your attack does not make you any less culpable for having engaged in it.
Not everyone has grown up in the enviable position of being strong-willed and independent of thought, especially considering societal expectations. Suggesting anyone can just 'grow a thick skin' is as silly as suggesting you can change your gender by willing it.