Should we smack our children?

Question

I am a firm believer in discipline, i was raised by just my mom, smacked on the backside whenever i was cheeky or disobedient.....and smacked on the backside with a slipper or belt when i was very badly behaved.....i think that it doesnt hurt to discipline your children this way....what rights do other people have to tell you not to smack your kids? The arguement is that more and more youths seem to be getting into trouble these days...perhaps through lack of discipline and being spoiled by their parents. Obviously when the day comes that i am a father..i will do what i think in my mind is best for my child....which will include smacking.....any thoughts?

Yes ive seen SuperNanny - most of the kids go back to their old ways afterwards - and other than that - most of the parents are to lazy to continue with her discipline program.

Answer 1

I agree with you. Sometimes a smack is the only thing that works to maintain straight thinking.
I think parents in America today way over-coddle their children. When the worst punishment you will face is surrendering you iPod for a week, there is an issue.

Answer 2

YOu'll get people who say that the yobboes on the streets behave the way they do because they were smacked - often across the head, I think.
I don't believe it. I believe that children are neglected which causes bad behaviour. Consist discipline is the answer. I have smacked my children (and will continue to do so) but that is the easy answer. You have to teach your children well and this is a positive thing. Smacking is a negative, as is any punishment. Putting your child in the corner is just as humiliating. BTW - I was smacked but my mother did something far more cruel - she would refuse to speak to me. For ages. And I was a well behaved child - we're not talking delinquent here. I swore I'd never do that to a child.
If you use smacking as a tool, remember that it is a last resort. Smacking builds barriers and causes resentment. However, in a rebellious child it might be the answer. Never ever hit out in temper. You're the grownup - stay in control.
I've never had a child throw a tantrum in a supermarket, I've never had a child swear at me nor have I ever had a teacher complain about my children's behaviour.
BTW - I find the most effective way to punish my teenager is to dock her pocket money. I fine her £5 a time if she is cheeky and 50 p per day if she doesn't do her chores. That really works, teaches her self control and does away with emotional outbursts. But remember: the key to child rearing is to Teach Your Children Well!

Answer 3

I think a bit of smacking is OK to reinforce a point, or when things go too far. But why the implements? Belts and slippers are basically weapons that take it a step too far. You shouldn't be inflicting real pain, or humiliating anyone, just making a point. This is violence, remember, and it shouldn't really form the basis of your relationship with your kids. When I was six I was hit on my knuckles with a ruler for misspelling in class! No way would I wish that on any kid! I definitely wouldn't rule out the odd smack though. Then, when you've done it a few times you can threaten it without actually doing it, and it has the same effect.

Answer 4

A smack when disobedient is the best way to discipline children, especially toddlers. Young children can't be reasoned with, because they are not capable of viewing the world in a logical manner. A short sharp smack will put them in their place and let them know that they stepped out of line, and it does far FAR less harm than shouting at kids does.

I've seen plenty of kids being disobedient to their parents and I think it's obvious that the child needs a smack. If they were my kid I certainly would.

You can always tell the kids that don't get smacked, because they're the ones who ignore their parents commands or shout back when the parents shout at them. Occasionally you hear toddlers swear at their parents. Thats the damage that a shouting and swearing parent causes!

Answer 5

I don't think there is any harm in smacking children as long as it's the last resort - and after warning. I was smacked as a child - and yes it was a hurtful experience - but that just meant I wanted to avoid it happening again and didn't misbehave in the same way. Having money or possessions witheld is also hurtful and embarassing - punishment is punishment - but what has a stronger message.
I think overuse of violence is obviously wrong, but since they've taken corporal punishment out of schools, and parents are strictly monitored society is gradually spiralling out of control because kids these days fear nothing. There is no punishment they want to avoid - so they get away with everything. And although authority has lost control there are still people who abuse and beat their children and get away with it - so something is very wrong.

Answer 6

Smacking was always used in my family, but only on the backside and never to the extent of inflicting harm. Those who object to smacking regard parents who do so as brutes with bad tempers who have to vent their rage on innocent victims. This argument ignores the fact that there is a huge gulf between people who abuse their children in this way and loving parents who want to establish the boundaries of right and wrong for their children by smacking them where necessary. With my own children, I have found that smacking clears the air. Children who are naughty sometimes take their behaviour to extremes where they want to stop, but can't find a way to do it with dignity. A smack clears the air and honour is saved on both sides. Many of the parents who are proud of not smacking their children breed little monsters whose bad behaviour seems to know no limits and the rest of society has to bear the consequences. By the way, monkeys spank their young. I've seen this happen in the jungle!

Answer 7

Yes, but only in exceptional cases and when all the other systems have failed! My mum smacked me only twice in my life, and once was for throwing a very heavy metal object down the balcony from the 3rd floor, which could have hurted or killed someone, the other because I pushed my grandmum on the floor, she was injured.... I learned the lesson and I'm very grateful to mum. Sometimes children are not mature enough to understand explanations, and they put themselves and others in danger.

Answer 8

You either ban all forms of child discipline or allow all forms of child discipline.

There is no difference between physical and mental punishment. Both have the same long term effect on children so neither is worse nor better than the other.

Answer 9

I don't believe that hitting children solves any problems or is an example of how to behave towards other people. Hitting children just says to them that it's OK to be violent towards other people. There was a woman on the radio the other day who said she smacked her child for touching her plants! My god! Where does she go if they do something really naughty? Will she get a cane out or whip them?

Please don't hit your kids - there are other ways of instilling discipline in children. I've never hit either of my kids and they are generally very good - partly because I respect them and they respect me and partly because I've brought them up to know right from wrong. I just have to raise my voice and they know to do the right thing. You should treat people (even small people) as you would wish to be treated.

How would you feel if a giant smacked your bottom? Humiliated, angry, hurt, degraded? Be good to your children and they will be good people.

Answer 10

I have a son who is almost 8 months old. He's not old enough to know right from wrong, but when he is old enough he does wrong depending on what he has done yes a good smack on the butt is a good way to let them know that they are doing wrong and if they do it again their get another smack on butt. Sooner or later their come to know that when they do wrong their going to get a spanking.