Would you spank your child for swearing?

Question

When visiting a freind, her 8 year old said a four letter word. She took the child upstairs and while I waited, I heard the unmistakable sounds of a spanking. I was wondering, how many of you would do the same. FYI: I wouldn't

Answer 1

The first time I probably would would use something else. But the next time I would spank. I do not think it is our place to judge her. I feel part of the problems children have now is that parents want to be there friend. Look how undisciplined teenagers are. If mom and dad had spanked their buts and taught them maanners we woukld not have so many juveniles.

Answer 2

I agree with spanking your child only if they are not listening to you after time outs do not work or a talk but they have to be doing something to harm themselves or others. (ie: running out onto the street repeatedly ) One spank on the bottom is better then a really bad accident or death. The only thing about it is, if they get to many spankings they get used to it. For my children the threat of a spank is often the cure now! As for using a four letter word... I'd be asking "where did she learn that word in the first place?" Even if the mother didn't use the word... why is She not discussing it with her child, as apposed to spanking her? Children have to learn as they grow they are just following lead! Do not listen to the people who think spanking ALL the time is healthy. You don't have to have a high IQ to know Your children shouldn't fear you, they should respect you!

Answer 3

It's going to depend. Is it the first time? Then no. I'd work with my child to get him to understand that there are places where that sort of language may be appropriate, but not until he was far older and most certainly not in polite company. If he was swearing in an effort to openly defy me, he was of an age where it isn't just a phase and he would really know better (as in, he doesn't think me getting upset is part of a game), then he might get a mild swat or two. But I'd never spank any more than that. Just something to let him know the seriousness of the situation. But I don't believe in actual spanking. At least, not that hard "I'm gonna beat your butt red" kinda spanking.

Answer 4

You can see a clear change in society from when parents spanked and then society said it was wrong. Less respect, discipline, motivation, not to mention more crime, etc. The list can go on and on.

People forget a parent has one job, "to raise a child to become a productive and upstanding citizen". Job is not to be nice, their friend, buddy, etc. Parents job is to be the teacher, to show the path, to show the punishment.

Is it better for a child to deal with a spanking as a child. Something that will only hurt for a short bit. Or let the kid be and allow them to grow up with no respect of others, choice of words etc and have them in and out of the court system or jobs due to this. Which causes more damage and is more hurtful in the long run?

Parents need to spank their kids at times and its high time parents started to do it again (this is different than beating a child). More power to that parent!

PS - to those that say they will talk to their kids.....they must still be kids themselves to not realize a kid cannot rationalize such talk or conversation. If they could...they wouldn't be a kid. We would all be born as adults, which we aren't.

PPS - and my point was clearly shown by the person who answered below me. Allow her kids to swear at home and in public? What great parenting skills this person has. I'm sure the trailer never gets vacuumed either.

Answer 5

What a devisive question. There doesn't seem to be any middle ground answer, just polar opposites.

Like others here, I'm a firm believer of corporal punishment. There is a good rule of thumb to follow though, it is a three step process.

1. Ask once
2. Tell once
3. Spank once

And never spank for a first offense.

The authorities have all tied the hands of parents so much that they are afraid to discipline their children and then those same authorities walk around scratching their collective head wondering why they are having to build more prisons and more homes for pregnant teenagers and why kids and young adults have no respect for authority.

Open your eyes people. It's time that the parents took back the raising of their children from the politicians. They can't even run our country without screwing up, what makes us think they can help us raise our kids?

As a father, I raised my daughter as an individual person with her own special personality. She was disciplined with spankings when she was wrong and she was apologized to if I found out I was wrong. It generally only took once because after that it was just the threat of that spanking and she would listen when told.

I'm not saying beat your child until they are black and blue, that's abuse. I know because my daughter is adopted and she was beaten by her parents until she was black and blue, I've got pictures to prove it. But even at that, I still spanked her for wrong doing as she grew up.

Did this discipline affect our relationship? You bet it did. My daughter is now 28 years old and she and I have a wonderful relationship with each other.

She and I can talk about anything. We will talk for hours about events in her life and how things are going for her. She will call me at the drop of a hat for advice on anything to what color to paint a room to her most deepest heartfelt concerns about her future. Does she always take that advice? No. But at least she asks for it.

He mom tried to be her friend when she was growing up. She always told her what to do and when to do it but with no discipline. My daughter now has only a negative feeling toward her mom. She moved away from her as soon as she had the chance because she didn't want to be around her.

Parents, take the time to raise your children with proper discipline. My child does not fear me, she respects me, and she loves me and I couldn't ask for more from her. Take control of your family.

It is difficult in todays culture to do that, but the payoffs will be much more positive in the long run. We have raised two generations of kids without any backbone, without any respect, you can see where our country is headed, it's about time we changed direction and started to raise our kids with authority.

I wish every parent out there the best of luck and God's wisdom in raising your children. I would not want to do it with the way things are in our world today. It is a daunting task and I applaud any parent that takes the less desirable path and uses corporal punishment, properly administered, to raise their children.

God Bless and good luck.

Answer 6

Not for swearing. I'd talk to her about it (discuss why it's not good to say it), but not in a punishment way. Honestly, I swear and I learned to do it later in life, much later. I'm glad I didn't as a kid, but if I did, I don't think I would "get it" w/ a spanking b/c so many people swear. Really, it isn't like stealing or lying.

Answer 7

That was wrong I would of told her go to your room and then i would of had a talk with her after my friend left. I don't believe in hitting but a lil spank on the butt when there little isn't bad. But when there that age I think grounding is the best way.

Answer 8

I have to say yes I would. There are things that aren't acceptable in my house. This is one of them. Not that I am a parent but I was raised in the manner.

I remember coming back from summer camp where I had sworn pretty much all the time. Then coming back home and saying "damn" infront of my mother. I knew right away I made a mistake and shouldn't have.

I got it; so did my sister the first time she said it and my sister was just repeating what was said on a movie we were watching. We both learn. There was responsible speech and bad speech.

My friends all swore like sailor even infront of their own parents but never in front of my mom. They were all afraid she would look down on them. They all respected her. I remember my friends saying things like if you tell your mother I had sex, I'll break our friendship off. I hope your mom did hear me say that. So strange they were worried about her opinion.

I'd wonder why. So one day I ask. They often would say because yoour mother trust me and I don't want to break it. They never swore or did anything bad infront of her. When they got busted for drugs they actually apologized to her. Baffling but it was because of the way she raised us.

You pick your own style but don't be so critical because someone else has their own style too. They simply aren't you. I turn out ok and alright I am one of the few of my friends who graduated college and now I work in Japan. I have also worked for fortune 500 companies.

Answer 9

No.

I have somewhat of a potty mouth. I try to watch it but I slip up quite often. My oldest never took to repeating me but my youngest loves to do it. We explain to him that some words are for adults only and that he cannot say them. Now and then he still does it and I have to try very hard not to laugh. I just find it so funny. The worst we do it put him in time out. I don't like him to swear but I don't think it is the kind of offense you spank for.

Answer 10

oh my word, I live in South Africa and kids over here (including myself and all my friends) got smacked if we were rude, swore and mis behaved in any way. its not child abuse cause I'm not saying beat the kid but a smack never hurt any one in this country. Between Americans and Brits your children are mostly-brats put it together. no wonder you have programmes like Supper Nanny. South African children get hidings or as you would say spanked and they all come out just fine. Dont beat, discipline.