Why does it seem like spanking is so wrong in this world?

Answer 1

I don't know, I was spanked and I spank my kids and I don't care what anyone thinks. I spank with an open hand and never in a manner that couold seriously hurt them. Kids today are spoiled, mine included, they are becoming creatures of materialisim. We give them too much. Every generation wants their kids to have it a bit better than the last and we are actually going in the opposite direction. I am as guilty of this as any but I am trying to change and to teach my kids better. I am trying to teach them what is really important in life, God, Family, friends, helping others less fortunate, etc....

Answer 2

I think "seem" is the operative word in your question. It *seems* like it's taboo because of a very vocal minority of anti-spankers in the US. The majority of Americans are not against reasonably-administered spankings.

Some statistics about parental spanking from the Boston Globe, as cited by neverhitachild.org:

68 percent of American parents think spanking is not only good but essential to child rearing.

90 percent of parents spank their toddlers at least three times a week.

52 percent of 13- and 14-year-olds get spanked; 20 percent of high school seniors do.

I am neither condoning nor condemning the spanking practices of American parents. I'm merely providing these statistics to make a point.

Answer 3

People see spanking as wrong, but children need to be spanked to be kept in line. I don't believe teenagers should be spanked or yelled at because they are old enough to understand what's right and wrong, you have to sit them down and speak to them sternly yet with love and gentleness. Toddlers and under 12 years needs the occasional spanking and lots of talking too. I don't see spanking as wrong but a way to make kids behave themselves.

Answer 4

It doesn't accomplish anything but anger and resentfulness in the child. If some punishment such as denial of a toy or a priviledge is used it has a much longer lasting effect.Ii also shows that that the child's behaviour didn't make the parent "loose it".Spanking can get out of control.It's better to explain to the child(depending on age of child) why what was was done was wrong and what is the consequence and be consistant each time.

Answer 5

Whatever your moral views on corporal punishment may be, the fact remains that spanking is not a very effective form of punishment. Studies consistently show that spanking produces short term compliance with rules, but actually DECREASES long term compliance.

The American Acadamy of Pedatrics issued it's official stance on corporal punishment in 1998. Below are a couple of quotes from that statement. The full report can be viewed at the source link.

"Despite its common acceptance, and even advocacy for its use, spanking is a less effective strategy than time-out or removal of privileges for reducing undesired behavior in children. Although spanking may immediately reduce or stop an undesired behavior, its effectiveness decreases with subsequent use. The only way to maintain the initial effect of spanking is to systematically increase the intensity with which it is delivered, which can quickly escalate into abuse. Thus, at best, spanking is only effective when used in selective infrequent situations."

...

"The more children are spanked, the more anger they report as adults, the more likely they are to spank their own children, the more likely they are to approve of hitting a spouse, and the more marital conflict they experience as adults. Spanking has been associated with higher rates of physical aggression, more substance abuse, and increased risk of crime and violence when used with older children and adolescents."

Answer 6

Spanking in moderation is not wrong at all. Beating is what's wrong. Many parents think that they can spank their children, but what they don't realize is their own strength, and they wind up hitting the child too hard. Then it is considered abuse. On the opposite end of things, a lot of parents believe that spanking at all is just outrageous... which, if you look at how many parents beat their children without realizing it and then calling it spanking... I can see why...

Answer 7

It seems wrong because you never know who is going to call up child welfare if they see you getting on to your child. I was spanked as a child, and it worked to straighten out my behavior, because I didn't like it. But with my kids they get a warning, then a timeout, and then a spanking. And that is if they do the same thing 3 times in a row. Usually it doesn't ever get past the timeout because they hate having to stand in a corner.

Answer 8

Spanking is not wrong. Beating is. People have beaten their children so many times, not spanked, but beat. Now the children have protection from the perpertrators. School teachers, principals, even day care workers have crossed the line way too many times. You are allowed to spank your child, you are not allowed to take all of your anger out on that child.

Answer 9

I don't believe there to be anything wrong with spanking a chlid who has misbehaved. I grew up getting spanked, as did my mother and her mother and her mother, etc, etc. Only in recent years have people gotten on some high horse kick screaming about children's rights. YES, children are people, YES, they have the right to NOT be abused. However, they do NOT have the right to escape punishment. Adults don't, neither do children. I firmly believe that the "powers that be" have their hands too deeply in our homes. Heh, too deeply where it doesn't need to be..and not deeply enough where it should be. I'd much rather be around someone who grew up getting spanked than someone who had "no-no's" and "time-outs".

Answer 10

Spanking is not wrong if it's used correctly, not causing any injury, bruising, etc. Kids are way too spoiled these days and parents sparing the spanks is a part of why.