In Australia now the Government is trying to enforce a law making it illigal for parents to smack their children as a diciplinery action. I do not have children myself, and have never smacked another child. But as a child myself, if I had done something wrong, I would receive a wack on the bum. (which didn't physically hurt - just the pride was a bit bruised) - what are your thoughts on this subject, and do you believe smacking a child is ok? How were you disciplined as a child?
2006-09-09 11:05:47 · 18 answers · asked by ang_172 3 in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
There is a thin line between punishment and discipline, if a parent is angry enough to slap a child then the parent should walk away first and calm down. If a parent hits an impressionable child then it shows that it is OK to use violence. I think if you calm down and think of a more logical disciplinary action then the child will respect you more. Anyways even something as small as a slap can lead to more dangerous "Punishments"
2006-09-09 11:37:43 · answer #1 · answered by Shay S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe that at this moment it is still legal to smack your child between the bottom and the shoulders in Australia.
If you leave a mark you are possibly in contravention of the laws.
Smacking is not wrong.... nor is it right....
the reasons and manner in which it is carried out is more questionable....
If a parent is angry and they are smacling their child because they feel angry then the reason for doing so is wrong...
If a parent is out of control and smacking and yelling wildly then the manner is wrong...
If on the other hand the parent is in control and smacks the child on the butt with an open hand and tells the child what it neds to do then everything is fine...
Honestly I think there is not enough smacking... people molly-coddly little ones and then wonder why they cant manage them when they are i their teens...
a smack when they are little can prevent a lot of bother when they are 12.
2006-09-10 09:31:29 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it is illegal to smack a kid in the US I know about 2.5 million people who are not aware of it--including the police. I was beat with a belt(ouch). I smacked my kid once on the rear with my hand and he laughed at me(he was 3) I found time out did the trick..for both of us. Do I think it is OK...welll, I have seen lots of parents I wanted to beat and lots of kids that I thought NEEDED to get beat. Consistancy is the answer not physical abuse BUT on the other hand I do not consider a smack on the butt to be physical abuse...now a coathanger or bloodflow is another thing completely.
Some kids are totally abused verbally. Others get smacked on the butt and are fine...depends on the kid; depends on the adult.
When my son was in kindergarden he was paddled by the principal for swinging on the bars over the doors in the boy's room. I found out when another boy that was paddled with him told me. Trust me when I say there were no more paddlings there. If the schools can do this then how can the parents be told to stop?
Oh, yes, this has been a jailable offense in Sweden for decades for parents or anyone to strike a child. They take the kid and you go directly to jail. Look that up and see if it is helpful.
BTW: This man only paddled children in K-3. He said the bigger ones fought back. I informed I had a REALLLLLY BIG lawyer who fought back rather well. This was the biggest hootie-flootiest school district in the state. Boy were the people on the schoolboard surprised when they found out he was paddling kids.
2006-09-09 11:27:56 · answer #3 · answered by Mod M 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Young children lack a theory of mind ( they don't not understand that people think differently) So they think if they like it everybody does. A whack on the bum is nothing more than simple conditioning. They do something they get spanked they eventually get to a point they don't it. Kids really don't develop the ability to think about how there actions will affect them until they are about 10+. In America it is illegal to hit a child with a closed fist (as this is an act of aggression)or in the face. It is perfectly legal to open handily smack a kid on the butt as long as it is not overly done, aka no more than 5 I'd say. In other words you can't leave bruises.
2006-09-09 11:12:22 · answer #4 · answered by amish_renegade 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is a time and a place for everything. Sometimes some kids need a good smack, others just a good loud word. Others need the chair in the corner. I was smacked as a kid, even got the belt and the wooden spoon. Now if I just raise my voice with my child, they listen. I guess it just depends on the child.
2006-09-09 11:13:07 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
just a note to the other responders. what the heck is wrong with you people? of course smacking people is wrong! parents just get violent with their kids out of anger. not right. the bible says that you should obey your parents UNLESS THEY TELL YOU TO DO SOMETHING WRONG> and what is totally wrong is when parents fail to let their kids be kids and treat them badly, just because they can. believe me i know how it feels. i am a victim of abusive parents. a few times my mom got so aggressive that she got a long hard skinny stick and whipped me multiple times until i had a bruise/welt the size of my hand.(and i have big hands). now i have bad attitides towards adults because of my mom. their whole attitude is do as i say, not as i do, which is actually the real reason why kids try to be the adult. and a lot of the time, they are right, but the parents dont want the kids telling them what to do because they think they are better then the kids. they think that they can push around their kids and they say "you live in my house you do as i say and no complaining" but guess what? if their were no child labor laws, they would get a job and move out. its not like we actually want to live with people like that, but we have no choice. almost all of the time, if you want someone else to change, you have to change first.
2006-09-09 11:23:48 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think that sometimes verbal warnings and time outs aren't enough, that sometimes the child may need physical action (which is NOT the same as abuse). I think the modern way of discipling children is so stupid, and that's why we have a bunch of children raising the parents these days instead of the other way around.
2006-09-09 11:08:59 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
first of all smacking a child is okay just as long as ur doing it for disciplinary only. I'm a child myself and I get whippings if I disobey my parents or rebel against them. Its also in the bible that you shouldn't spare the rod . Which means you should whip your children.
2006-09-09 11:22:11 · answer #8 · answered by LILREDGAL 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is wrong to hit a child except if they are reaching for a hot stove i'd smack his hand away from it.My parents beat me and I am no better for it.There is positive reinforcement and time out for positive ways to discipline,[which means to teach not to hurt.]
2006-09-09 11:15:17 · answer #9 · answered by nancy e 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I do not think any child deserves to be beat, but a smack on the bottom might do more good then harm.........As it stands here in the United States there are alot of young people who do not know the meaning of respect........................... Because of maybe the lack of discipline.
2006-09-09 11:13:41 · answer #10 · answered by mysticideas 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋