Is it possible to raise a child with out punishing like beating the baby?

Question

I have heard americans never punish the baby by beating or pinching. It is an offence there. Is this true?

Answer 1

Child abuse has raised such an eyebrow in America that it is, unfortunately, almost impossible to give your insubordinate children a swat on the bottom, or even a good verbal lashing, without someone turning you in. It's a result, and a cause, of our country going to hell in a handbasket because we're raising generations of disrespectful pansies.

I don't think "beating the baby" is quite the direction to go, but "honey don't do that" isn't quite as effective as a good spanking, is it? (Ah, remember the days when Grandpa had a special belt in the closet just for threatening the grandkids into good behavior (we had an open punishment policy in our family, if you were in their house, they could punish you for being a ****)--the threat was never "Don't make Grandpa take off his belt," it was "Don't make Grandpa go get his belt." And he always wore one.) I was spanked-sometimes hard. I was NOT abused. I turned out JUST fine.

Kids need to learn to respect their authority figures, and the authority figures need to learn that respect is something that has to be earned, it doesn't come automatically just by handing out an allowance.

Answer 2

This is a controversial issue. While it is considered child abuse, physical punishment takes many forms and not all of it should be considered abuse. Some children can be brought up without physical punishment. Some seem to need that extra incentive. All children will learn to respond if you use a confident tone of voice. If you would like to try and raise your children without physically punishing them, make sure you have a confident posture and vocal pattern when you do try to control them. There is a difference between a commanding voice and just plain yelling.

Personally, I believe in the power of the spanking. I know I was a very unruly child and if not for a good spanking here and there, I probably wouldn't be as docile as I am now. However I don't believe that every child needs to be spanked. And if you do spank, you shouldn't except in dire circumstances. It's supposed to be a last resort that you have warned the child about, not your constant answer to every infraction on the child's part. Especially if you're talking about a little kid who wouldn't know any better, physical punishment isn't a good idea because not only would they not understand why they were being punished in such a manner, they would then come to fear rather than respect your judgement, and would learn too one-sidedly to deliver that sort of justice to others.

Really, if you want to teach your child that hitting is wrong, then you shouldn't hit them in the first place. And you especially shouldn't allow one of your older children to spank one of your younger ones. That's a horrible transfer of power.

Answer 3

I believe that it is a crime to beat a baby in any country. Discipline for a child as they grow up may warrant an occasional "spanking." There are many abusers out there, however you can spank your child and not be abusive. And it is not hypocritical either.

Rule of thumb - spank early and often if needed and when a child reaches 10, they will be respectful children. Keep putting them in time-out. That is abuse in my opinion. These children grow up and well...... Look at the teens today.

Every child does not need to be whooped. Some children have such tender personalities that they can be motivated to do the right thing without a spanking. The objective in disciplining your child should be for correction and not punishment.

My generation's parents would be considered abusive by today's standards. I could get a whooping by my teacher, principal, baby sitter, neighbor and them by both parents before the day was done. (Happened maybe twice in my lifetime.) Unlike the children of today, I have great respect for my country, authority, laws and have a great rapport with my parents. I've never been medicated, placed in reform school, and I hold three post graduate degrees.

And in case you wondered, yes I spank my children if a situation warrants it. Afterwards, they climb in my lap, love is reaffirmed and we don't have too many repeats.

By the world's standards, I am abusive to use corporal punishment. My children are well-behaved and never are an embarrasment to me or themselves in public. The older they get, the less frequent spankings come. With several siblings, the youngest have caught on and receive even less spankings because they have learned from the mistakes of their older siblings.

Answer 4

Unfortunately , it is not always the case . A baby depends solely on a parent for everything . That includes learning . It is cruel and unusual punishment to hurt any child , especially a helpless baby who is dependent upon you to teach and nurture them. I have seen toddlers & babies in public , imitating their angry mother's and then punished or hit for doing excatly what they have obviously learned from mom . Some people should never be parents ; plain and simple . You need a license to fish , but any moron can have a child . The mentality of some parents is frightful . It's almost as if the child is being raised by a person on their own level-because that's what many abusive parents are doing - putting themselves on the level of a child .A loving child who is taught consequences ( not beatings ) will respond in the reasonable manner by which they are taught . The baby who gets beaten , will often either grow up to harm others or not grow up at all ...Many end up in the morgue .

Answer 5

Its not all about the Americans. Americans have learnt from there European cousins.
Actually when you think of beating your own baby its not that they have made some mistake. But the problem is with yourself who is losing patience. Children are manipulable. You have to read their minds, what should you do so that they will behave rightly. One way is to develop a self respect in you child. So that she / he is also have some responsibility in the family.

Beating will only make a child more and more indifferent towards punishments.

Answer 6

Why would you beat a baby to begin with? A baby doesn't know any better! I don't even understand why pinching would be considered punishment? I mean, that is like what a grade school child would do.

Answer 7

Of course it's possible to raise a child without beating them. I'm sorry, but after reading your questions, I'm concerned for the safety of your children- You feed an 8 month old lying down, and how he hasn't choked before now baffles me, and now you want to know if it's possible to not inflict pain on babies as if somehow it's a shock to you...
I recommend parenting classes right now.

Answer 8

no ..its not .. an offence. now, i think physical abuse is different than " punishment" with a spanking or smack on the hand or what not is not an offence. children need some type of dissapline and not all children respond to the same type. you just need to find out what works for your children

Answer 9

It is possible to raise your child without spanking them. I have 3 children and another on the way. I do not spank my children but I do punish them by taking away all the things that they like...

Answer 10

I was never spanked or hit. My mom rarely raised her voice, when she did, you knew you were in trouble. I have a stepson now, and I am stricter that my husband. He spoils him. I am firm, he sits and eats his dinner, he does his chores. I give him options and I follow through. I'll set the stove timer for 10 minutes. He knows if he isn't done tidying up he'll get no treat, or TV, or whatever I have told home the consequences would be.