what is your opinion on spanking?

Question

i'll give my opinion when i choose the best answer. but what do you think? is it ever okay? if so when? and are there limitations?

in response to margaret, i don't have any kids yet, thanks. my husband and i want to wait and have time together first.. this is not about my opinion.. i already have one.. i just want to know w hat you all think.

Answer 1

As an absolute LAST RESORT. My mom spanked me once--she used alternative forms of discipline. It's funny kids who get spanked all the time cannot even remember (as adults) what it was for. But kids who have only been spanked sparingly remember everything about it.

Answer 2

Grew up in the west Indies, spanking was just part of the game... teachers spanked, house keepers spanked. my mother spanked...wasn't till I came to Canada where I was informed that spanking was not a norm...My opinion is this, there are times when a child should be disciplined by a spank...and any more than one is probably going a bit far, and i am not saying a full off pants down welt type of spank, a tap with a stern reprimand is enough to let your kid know that the offending action was not acceptable at any time. Kids are smart, they know.

Do I spank my kids?, absolutely, there are times when a “time out” or a “go to your room” is not enough.

But I have to accept that there are some people that let RAGE, control the discipline and would probably take this to a level where it is abusive, a spanking is not an everyday occurrence, it is a punishment when there have been numerous warnings, numerous attempts to stop or change the bad behavior.

After a spank… talk… make them understand why it came to this, what it would take for this never to happen again.

For me and my kids that works… for others it may not… gauge your kids and use spanking as a last and final resort.

Unfortunately there is no manual on being a good parent, how to ensure that your kids are brought up with respect for others and self respect.

Answer 3

My husband and I have not ever spanked our children. Because other methods tend to work with them. Such as time-outs, taking away priveldges. However, I am not against it as a last resort. Children need to know who the boss is. And they need to respect their parents. IF it came down to it, and my children no longer responded to the other forms of disapline, I would not hesitate to use a swat on the butt. I was spanked as a child, and I knew right from wrong. I knew to respect my elders. There are just so many kids around that will not even blink to yell and swear and be disrespectful to an adult, even an adult they don't even know. The other day I was trying to back out of a parking spot at the grocery store and there were about 6 10-12 year old kids standing behind my car. I politely asked them to move so I could leave, and I was told to "F@#k off B%$*h". Now those kids of kids need to be spanked.

Answer 4

I think that it really depends on the child. Some kids are pretty sensitive, and will cry if you scold them, and for those kids, I think spankings are cruel. Other kids are stubborn, and won't listen unless there is a threat of physical punishment. However, I think that this is a decision best left up to the individual parent. I don't think spankings are necessary to discipline a child, and I think that many parents take spankings overboard, and use them as an excuse to abuse the child (however inadvertently). I received my first spanking at 2 months old, and I think that's way too extreme. I kind of think that spanking can lead to kids that believe the only way to get others to listen is through physical pain. Used appropriately, spanking can be a good tool in raising a child, but it's a powerful tool and it's hard to use it appropriately. There are lots of other ways to discipline a child that can be as effective as spanking; you just have to figure out what works for the individual child.
Hope this helps!

Answer 5

My son is too young for me to even have to worry about discipline at this stage but when he is older I am sure I will spank him if he does something serious enough.My parents spanked me up until I was 16,obviously that was for a pretty very serious offense.I think spanking can be an effective parenting tool if not OVERUSED and not done in ANGER which alot of parents make the mistake of doing,it sickens me when I am out somewhere and see a parent swatting a childs bottom and screaming at them,that isnt going to do any good and in public it will only humiliate the child.There are certain things I know will be an automatic spanking such as lying,stealing,smoking,or skipping school. There are some things you have to put a stop too right away. Anyway that is my opinion.

Answer 6

I think spanking is a good thing. I have 2 children, so I'm speaking on my experience with my own kids and from my parents, when I was growing up. My parents enforced spanking, in our house. I believe it works. There is a total difference between hitting or abusing a child and spanking them. Spanking is on the butt and no where else. Spanking also does not mean that you are repeatedly beating at their butt. You shouldn't be using all of your force to spank your child. Usually a good swat just to get their attention works just fine.
Of course, I do think that spanking should be the last resort...time outs can work well, but they don't always get the message across.

Answer 7

I think spanking should be done in moderation, just because if you don't use some discipline kids will grow not know what is right or wrong. I have a almost 2 year old, I don't spank her I lightly smack her butt. And she knows that she shouldn't do that again, but she also gets time out, I explain to her that she can't do that because it could end of hurting her or someone else. I know time out works, and I think spanking works also. When she gets a little older maybe my opinion will change though.

Answer 8

Well I do have to say honestly that my kids have gotten a swat in the rear upon occasion. When I was a child we used to be disciplined with a riding crop on the behind, or a belt. My husband had the same done to him. So we have carried over the "spanking" thing to our children but just not in the extreme that we had it. We both grew up in the days where nothing was ever done to parents who disciplined their kids with "corporal punishments" as they like to call it now. So yes, honestly we do spank our children, we both grew up fine and did not become abusers. I also believe culture and certain family beliefs also plays a big role.

Answer 9

I only spank when the disobedience is intentionally on purpose. I never spank when the situation is caused by an accident. I try to give myself a time out before I spank if I am angry about the situation. Never spank a child when you are angry.

Be sure to talk in a loving and nurturing voice. Hug them afterwards. Let the child know you are disappointed in his behavior and that you know he can make better choices.

If the wrongdoing includes a victim who was intentionally harmed, my child needs to ask forgiveness. If the wrongdoing includes a victim who was accidentally harmed, my child shall apoligize. There is a difference between the two.

Spanking has gotten such a bad rap because of angry parents not controlling their emotions while disciplining their children. Child abuse can root in such homes.

Answer 10

I think there are times when spanking is nessesary. I do not feel it should be the perdominate form of punishment. And personally I never want to be angry when I do it. I feel that a parent is likely to go easier if they have ahd some time to cool off first. Spanking is not evil any more than food is. Both can be dangerous if not used properly.
By the way, spanking is not hitting!!!!

Answer 11

i grew up in a spanking household, but i think that there are other alternatives. all i have ever seen spanking do is make the kids more upset. but my kids are now 14, 12 and 5. with my older kids grounding works better. my 5 yr old. I'm lucky she is one of those kids that you can just talk to.