They're fully grown adults in their thirties. They know what they're doing. I know plenty of people that were brought up by parents who thought it was perfectly OK to smack them as a punishment, but they have *not* gone on to do the same to their own children now because they know it's wrong. Also, it really is a simple as asking yourself whether you'd like to be showered with cold water in order to be taught a lesson. I'd guess that the vast majority of people wouldn't, so what makes it OK to do this to a defenceless baby? Plus, they have form. They're horrible parents in other ways, this is just one example tbh.Im not saying that a cold shower is ok I totally disagree with it however playing devils advocate.
If this was the way they have been brought up and it has always been a way they discipline their children and that their family discipline their children then this is their normal (again I don't think it is right) Like weaning early I had a mom that weened her daughter at 12 weeks and this was with full on food and giving her Maltese's to suck. I was so shocked and appalled as she was giving her child chocolate at 12 weeks just to see how she would react. As this was normal in her family that they weened so early. In my eyes weaning at 12 weeks with all types of food is extremely dangerous for the child and could cause major problems when older to her it was fine didn't see the problem regardless of health visitors advice because it didn't do her any harm.
Now if they think it didn't do them any harm I can see why they would follow on a practice that they have grown up with.
Now that it has all hit the fan and literally thousands of people have told them this is really not ok maybe just maybe they will stop and think ok just because it was normal for us its not right to do this now.
I guess what I'm trying to say is everyones normal is different until they are told and shown what is ok and what isn't.