Why are some parents afraid to beat their children?

Question

I ask this question a lot. Like today, I just came from the corner store. This lady was standing in line behind me with her kid. This kid looked so loveable and innocent but after what he did next, I thought I’d seen the face of the devil. He asked his Mom for some candy. His mom said “No, it’s too early for candy. I’ll buy you some later”. He asked again, his mom said “I told you no before and that’s what I mean”. The next thing I know, the little boy goes into a full out tantrum. I mean crying, screaming at the top of his lungs, rolling on the floor, the works. People were looking at her in the store like “Do something, stupid ***!!“ Finally after 2 minutes of this torture, he calmed down. I paid for my stuff, turned around and told her “Ma’am, that belt you’re wearing still has a lot of power if you use it”.

Granted, some kids don’t need beatings. You can just look at or yell at them a certain way and they’ll do what you say. I know because I was one of them, although I did get a beating on occasion, when it was necessary. But I’m talking about the kids who are CRYING for one, and the parents know they need it, too. Many people in the world got quite of few as kids and they turned out fine. So I ask again: Why are some parents so afraid to beat their kids?

Answer 1

I believe parents are afraid because of Social Services, and This new way of parenting that they all learn in books and on TV. Personally I grew up in a hosehold where if you did something wrong you got punished for it. And if the punishment was a whoopin' then thats what I got. But now kids beat their parents and its sad. Some parents dont even pay their kids attention. I believe that if kids to day got the whoopins that I use to get as a child then they wouldnt be as bad. I couldn't imagine acting out at the store with my mom. My mom didn't care. I got beat wherever I was acting up at School, Home, Store,ect I agree you dont always have to beat a child but sometimes they deserve it. I guess when he get to high school and he taking over her and maybe she will remember that day in the store and wish she would have "Beat his ***"

Answer 2

Full Out Tantrum? That couldn't have been my mother. I grew up in a time when there was no such thing as calling the cops if a parent beat (Or should I say spanked) your child. This is one of those situations that called for that child to get his behind popped, public or not. My mother used to say "Where you act out at, you get your *** beat at".

I used to whoop my child in public when it was necessary. Example: We were in Lord and Taylor. Before we went it, I told him “don’t touch anything because I can’t afford to pay for anything that gets broke.” He was about 3 years old. The next thing I know, he’s trying to pull of the clothes on the mannequin. You tell me….What would you do? If you picked Whooping, than you’re right. People looked at me crazy and I told them “If you can raise him better than I can, take him. But for now, mind your own damn business”. I agree these kids need some type of discipline. If they don’t get it at home, they’ll get it in a jail cell.

Answer 3

some people are afraid to beat their kids due to the interferance from outside parties. i have a 4yr old and on occasion if necessary she gets a warning, then a time out and as a last resort if she still misbehaves she gets smacked. occasionly the threat of her daddy being told solves the problem but on the whole she is well behaved. also in today's society too many treats are being given where kids can't understand when they ask for something and get refused it so thats when the tantrums start. if i did that when i was small i would of got a smack from mum then another from dad when he got home from his work to express the point that you can't have everything that you see.

Answer 4

Do we know how the mother handled it after she left the store? Maybe she waited till she got in the car or got home??? I have an almost 3 year old who at times has had tantrums in public. Never to the point of kicking and screaming though. Some parents can't/won't spank or "beat" their children. At this point in parenting I believe I'm one of those people. There are other ways I punish my kids for awful behavior. But then again I've never experienced a rolling in the floor kicking and screaming tantrum in public. And yeah, some people are weary in spanking their kids because society and the general public is so critical on how you should raise your child. A child goes to another adult and says "Mommy hit me" and next thing you know Mommy is being investigated for child abuse. Sad, but that's how we live today.

Answer 5

Probably because there are so many parents out there that actually abuse their kids, so it's easy to get slapped w/ a child abuse conviction. Also, a lot of parents I've seen appear to be scared to make their children mad. I'm sorry, but your children are going to get mad at you. Grow some balls and discipline your child. Undisciplined children are what's wrong with the world today. There's a big difference in beating your child and spanking your child. You shouldn't always spank your child- sometimes less harsh forms of punishment are effective. But, there are also times when your child needs to be spanked.

Answer 6

Well, I agree with disciplining your children, but BEATING them? For one, any type of physical discipline in a public place could subject the parent to a call to Children Service's, something that nobody wants.

I say, let the punishment fit the crime. If the "crime" warrants a spanking, then by all means, do it, but in the privacy of your own home.

If you do spank, and a situation like this comes up in public, you should develop a system with your child that firmly lets them know verbally what will happen if they don't behave.

Answer 7

Because it's seen as child abuse, and if reported, one's children can be taken away. The government has taken a parent's right to discipline their own children how they see fit. I think that no spankings are what is wrong with kids today.

Beating is one thing, but a firm tap on a clothing covered bottom is another altogether.

Answer 8

hey... I see it like this.. I was beat with the belt if I dared even LOOK at my parents wrong. I was a model kid. I did well in school, and NEVER talked back to ANYONE.

Now, I dont agree with the belt. I know how much it hurts, and I hate my parents for it still. BUT; I do agree with an old fashioned *** whooping... right there in the middle of the store. And if someone called the cops on me, I dont know if spanking a kids *** is considered child abuse..

now locking them in a closet with no food.. THATS child abuse.

Answer 9

I will tell you one thing. I don't think whooping a kid is a beating and is always necessary. Now yes that little boy would have got the belt pulled on him if he was mine. But based on how he responds would determine if he actually gets it. Many are afraid of child abuse charges to hit there kids. The government made it this way.

Answer 10

Because of the Department of Human Services. You can spank them on the bottom but you can't leave a bruise. As I stated in another answer - The kids learn this feel good stuff and think they are above their parents and don't have too listen to them. They become arrogant. Another reason is society norms. It's a mess.