Should parents hit their kids?

Question

Don't get me wrong I don't mean beat them to a bloody pulp, cause bruises, or even make them bleed. I mean like a tap on the back of the head. In my opinion ever since 12 year olds started suing their parents because they spanked them is the same time kids started going out and robbing gas stations and dealing drugs.

Answer 1

Yes...in this day and age most children are completely lacking discipline, and taking away the PlayStation for a week just doesn't cut it.

I'm 30 and I was spanked/beat as a kid and unlike today's pansies I would never have thought about calling Dyfus...

Since when do the children run the house hold?

Answer 2

Two Observations:

A parent should never raise their hand to their child: it leaves the parent's groin exposed.

Remember, the children you beat on today tomorrow will be picking out the old folks home you are to spend the rest of your life in.

Discipline and rules are very important for a child. They must learn discipline (that is something they lay upon themselves for conduct even when no one is watching). They learn that by learning rules and the consequences of breaking the rules. Rules, of course, are what others put upon them.

Consequences that involve spanking are rarely appropriate and best done only at a time when
1. the consequence of breaking the rule could have involved major injury to the child or others
2. needs to be immediately reinforced

Much stronger consequences are those which last longer than the public humiliation and pain of a spanking. Deprivation of privileges, separation from groups (time out), and alternative community service (time to go out and weed the lawn) can actually be more lasting a lesson.

It is also important that the parent not perform the correction in an out of control angry way. Too often I see parents whipping on kids, yelling at kids, pulling their arms, saying hateful things to their kids and all in public. What a lesson that is in behavior! Instead, as my daughter once told me, "Dad, I would have rather you had given me a spanking. You made me feel so guilty for letting you down."

BTW, my daughter now 22 works 40 hours a week, pays me rent, does not do drugs, and is an assistant manager where she works. She is a responsible human being.

Just thought I would share.

Answer 3

A child should never be hit, slapped or tapped in the head. A swat on the behind or a spanking is not a problem. I think the government tries to protect kids, but have gone over board in taking the way we discipline our kids away from us. Kids should not be beaten or abused. There is a difference between a beating and a spanking! My kids are 14 and 15 years old and the still get a swat now and then, not to often, but now and then.

Answer 4

I don't believe in beating your kids but a smack on the butt sometimes is the only thing that works. I am a mother of 3 boys and all of the time outs in the world sometimes don't work, trust me I have tried everything. I think that people who consider that abuse need to speak to someone that has actually been abused. When I was growing up I got spanked quite a bit and I am fine. Kids were much better behaved before they were able to have there parents arrested over a spanking. Now they are the ones with the upper hand.

Answer 5

This is a toughie. When I was a very young mother (teenage pregnancy) I did spank my children. This is what I was taught to do and I was too young and impatient with them. However I had another child years later and I learned many other ways to deal with a child rather than spank. I have spanked my youngest who is 10 but it was only a couple of spats on the bottom when she was so young and was placing herself in danger. Mainly it is time out, taking away privileges, and grounding. I do not have to discipline very often as I try always be consistant with my rules so that she has a clear picture of my expectations.
I guess I would say that I have seen some children out there who I would say need a spanking, but only if all other consistant measures were tried and failed.

Answer 6

Of course they should! and I agree that they shouldn't beat them to a pulp. But a spanking is called for every now and then. My grandmother is from the old school, where if you were bad, her mother made her get a a branch off the tree so she could get punished. I believe when a child is bad it is ok to spank on the butt, hand or mouth, ONLY IF NECESSARY. In this day in age there is no such thing as discipline, and children are doing the craziest things now because of no discipline.

Answer 7

I don't see anything wrong with a quick spank on the buttocks as an attention getter, but nothing more. I shy clear of the head because heads turn too quickly and what was the back is now the ear or nose.

Kids need to be taught that their actions have consequences. They have to pay a penalty for wrong actions and they should be rewarded for good actions.

Penalties should fit the 'crime'. Helping to fix a broken window as well as contributing to the cost of replacement. Loss of privileges such as watching TV, surfing the internet, playing video games or calling friends on the phone. Being grounded.

Rewards can be as simple as getting to choose what the dinner will be for a good report card or getting a special treat.

Answer 8

I don't think that a parent should spank their children. There are MUCH better ways of dealing with bad behavior.

Also, I think that the connection to robbing gas stations, etc. is rather tenuous. I think that a better explanation is that both parents work now, so no one keeps up with the kids' actions. I'm not saying that anyone should stay home with the kids and sacrifice their careers. I'm just saying that the parents need to pay more attention, get good after-school programs, etc. to prevent youth problems.

Answer 9

Yes absolutely... by which i mean a gentle slap on the bottom. The purpose for this is to show the child that they have done wrong, not to hurt them. Any harder, and no.

I was spanked if i didnt behave, but it was only about 4 -5 times ever, so I knew I had been *really* bad. Never did me any harm. Shame other people take it to mean they can beat up their kids, cos thats just not right.

Answer 10

Discipline is absolutely necessary, but this discipline does not need to be physical.
A good parent is the one that manages to make his kid understand right from wrong without resorting to violence. Possitive examples are the best way of teaching.

If these don't work, a minor spanking might be acceptable. But the non-violent alternatives should be explored first. The important thing is that the child understand the reasons why he's forbidden to do something. To just forbid your kid from doing things, without explaining and making him understand why, is an authoritarian way of paving the road to a rebellious child.

The child should be treated as an equal that needs to learn and be educated. Not as a lesser being or a property of his parents.

Answer 11

That is what is wrong with society now, I don't believe in beating a child in no means but I do believe in disciplining them. My sister does not believe in any form of discipline, not just spanking but punishment in general. She has a 13 year old son and a 11 year old daughter. Those two kids tell their parents how life goes and if they don't get what they want then its fit time. None of the family ever invites them over because the kids are so disrespectful as telling you to F*** off and the such. I don't beat my kids but they do get punished and they don't disrespect me or my husband or any adult for that matter