Are Christians more likely to use corporal punishment on their children?

Question

Over the past few weeks I’ve been running a non-scientific poll with friends and coworkers. In my small sampling 65% of the people who identified themselves as Christians spanked their children. While <5% of non-Christians spanked their kids.

Were you raised in a Christian home? Did your parents use corporal punishment?

Are you a Christian? Will/Do you use spanking as a means of correcting your children?

FWIW

I'm not a Christian. I do not use corporal punishment. And yes I do have children.

My parents were Christians and they did use corporal punishment.

FWIW

The Bible does not say, Spare the rod and spoil the child.

The main reference is;

Proverbs 13:24
He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.

Answer 1

I was raised in a Christian home.
My father used corporal punishmnet TWICE as I grew up.
I have used the same with my children.
However, only as a last resort, after all else has failed.

Answer 2

Bible says spare the rod spoil the child, many Christians use this as an excuse for excessive corporal punishment. As with many other things, they want the lazy man's answer, the easy way out, something simple, direct and at least a little barbaric.

I was raised in a Christian home where spanking was used. All it did to me is now I like to be spanked. I'm an atheist. I would never spank a child. I'm not a pervert after all. If my children ever take an interest in Christianity perhaps I will show them this quote in the Bible and ask them if I should have done things differently.

Answer 3

I am a Christian and had spanking as a child when I deserved it, and spanked my children infrequently when they needed serious instruction - and did not respond otherwise.
Are you a parent? If you are you know that children, at times, need more than words for correction, and it is appropriate to teach them. I raised four children and they will tell you that it was part of growing up and learning good behavior and respect when they did not want to. I feel the same way.
I fully respect the decision of any parent whether they use corporal punishment or not.
I believe it communicates the seriousness of discouraging wrong behavior that should be discouraged, and that children will overstep their boundaries if the threat of spanking is not there. We have seen those children, right?
I should be done with forethought and never in anger, and never past the age of puberty.
It is a not fun but necessary part of parenting. The Bible does say "Spare the rod and spoil the child" and it is a teaching of wisdom.

Answer 4

Interesting question. I was not raised in a Christian home but I was spanked. I am a Christian now and I do spank. Gee, where do I fit? :) I guess I can give you one point for each catorgory.

I will say that I have noticed the same trend as you. I choose to use corporal punishment because I believe it to be effective. I do not believe that it is harmful if admistered properly. I do not think it should ever be confused with abuse. I use many other means of discipline also. Spanking is used for lying, willful disobedience, or running into the street kind of stuff. I have three kids---only two of spanking age. They are hardly ever spanked. Not even once a week. The kids clearly know what crimes will result in that punishment, so they can avoid it. Anyway, that wasn't exactly your question.

In Hebrews (Chapter12) we learn that God chastises his children like a good father because he loves us. He does it for OUR profit not his own and not out of anger. He wants us to be partakers of his holiness. It is acknowleged that chatening is not pleasurable but afterward it will be to your profit. This is how parents should discipline their child. I realize this does not support spanking like the verse--spare the rod, spoil the child---but it does offer insight into how to discipline. How can spanking be considered abuse by Christians in the context of "spare the rod" and Hebrews 12? It just cannot. Unless you fail and go too far.

Answer 5

Absolutely Christians are more likely to use physical punishment on their children than people of other faiths. It's a "southern" thing, too. The southern USA is big on whipping their kids. I don't know how anyone who knows Christians well could deny that they are overwhelmingly in favor of slapping and whipping their children.

Answer 6

I was NOT raised in a Christian home, and my parents spanked me when I deserved it. I AM a Christian, I do not have kids, but WOULD swat them on the bottom if they were totally unruly and did not listen.

Answer 7

Was raised in a Christian home. Was spanked.

Not a Christian. Did not have kids.

Answer 8

Was not raised in a Christian home. Was not spanked. I am not Christian. I would spank my children.

Answer 9

""Are Christians more likely to use corporal punishment on their children?""

NO. Not at all.