Should spanking be considered child abuse?

Question

It's wrong for one adult to hit another why is such a grey area when it comes to spanking a child?

Answer 1

My parents spanked me, and I don't have any hard feelings about it; but now that I'm a parent, I can't conceive of INTENTIONALLY inflicting harm upon my son, even to "teach him a lesson".....there's just too many other alternatives available to me.

Answer 2

Spanking is a last resort, and is used as a form of discipline not an exertion of anger. Positive reinforcement without a negative to balance only teaches kids they should only behave well if there is something in it for them.

When my daughter was younger, about once a month, she would get so out of control the only thing that got her attention was putting her over my knee and smacking her on the butt 3-times. She would look shocked and stop what she was doing immediately and not do it again. Then it got less and less that she would go so far as to need physical discipline to get the point across, at almost 6 it happens maybe once a year. She knows that if mommy spanks her, it is serious and takes notice. I was spanked as a child (much worse than above) and have no damage or violent tendencies as a result.

Spanking is a consequence to negative behavior, a cause and effect. If you don't want to be spanked, don't misbehave..simple as that. If children who were spanked act violently, they either would behave that way anyway or they are also being smacked not just spanked. There is a difference (smacking does not require the child to do something to cause the consequence). Everyone who complains about spanking needs to take a good look at the generation of brats that has arisen out of that attitude. -- Oh, and adults do get spanked, it's called going to Jail and getting Fired.

Answer 3

It shouldn't be but It is, said to say.
Granted, I do know some kids who were abused by their parents and it's a sad thing. Although, from what I've seen, spanking works a hell of a lot better than just saying "No, don't do that" a thousand times. You can talk to kids (Some, not all) until you're blue in the face and it's like talking to a brick wall. I got spanked (I call it whooped) plenty of times in my childhood and it worked wonders for me. Punishments worked in my teenage years, although Mom made it known that I'd still get my *** whooped, teenager or not.

I think it depends on the child because every child is different. If they need it, do it. If not, do what they'll understand and what works for THAT child. If you don't discipline your child, somebody else will and it might be in jail.

Answer 4

OK, reading some of these posts made me write my response. I do not think spanking is child abuse ALTHOUGH it can become abuse REAL quick. I was reading here that it is supposed to teach your kid from doing something wrong. Well, I am a firm believer in POSITIVE reenforcement. I have never spanked my kid. I have always offered logical explanations or tried in different ways to teach. For instance. my kid had a difficult time learning to look down the alley before she crossed them. When we went on walks around the neighborhood and would come up to an alley, I would let her take the lead a bit. I would watch her and if she didnt look before crossing I would yell "HONK!" a couple of times as I would "run" into her, making her stumble and startling her.
She got the picture after awhile. I didnt have to beat it into her. Most of the time people need to be told several times and in different ways for it to click. It is your job as a parent to find that one thing that will make something click.

I think sometimes parents will spank a child because they lack the imagination to teach their kids in a positive way. Either that or they are too lazy to find an appropriate method. Or... they just let themselves surcum to their own frustrations and anger and by spanking their kid, it makes Them feel better.
Again, No, spanking a child is not abuse but can become such real quick. There are better ways to teach your kid.
Here's one last thing to think about. Here your kid is in Kindergarten and they have been coloring stuff all year long. What would you do if you found the teacher spanking your child because they can't keep it between the line. Or if later on they have problems with math or reading. Does the teacher BEAT it into them? No, they will try and try with different approaches. And if they were beating your kid, wouldn't you be down at the school in a heartbeat? POSITIVE INFLUENCE! It will make them better people later in life.

Answer 5

Spanking is considered child abuse to some people. But to others, its a form of discipline. The correct way to determine if its abuse or not is...

Are you spanking the child violently?
Are you spanking the child because YOU are frustrated about something and you are taking it out on them?

I have SWATTED my sons butt a few times just to get the point across that what he was doing it wrong. Swatting him hurt his ego more than his butt.

If you spank the child and can see you hand print on them afterwards, then yes, I would call that abuse.

Answer 6

Spanking is NOT child abuse.

Spanking is diciplining a child. make sure you spank the butt no where else. Spank only if the child has behaved badly and spank sparingly.

Child abuse is hitting a child on the face back legs head and for no reason, just because a parent is either drunk or mad at himself. that's child abuse.

Answer 7

It shouldn't be but it is. I personally don't see anything wrong with it. I was spanked as a child. So were my parents and their parents. I spanked my child and we all turned out fine. Some people do take it to far, though. If you have a child or children, raise them how you see fit. If the situation calls for them to be spanked, by all means, do it. Most kids today need it.

Answer 8

Children need to be taught right from wrong. I 100% believe in spanking children when they are young. A simple "no dont do that or no dont touch that" is not enough disipline.
As far as the comment its wrong for adults to hit another adult... that should have no link to spanking children. Adults should know right from wrong already. They should not have to be taught by someone else what is right and what is wrong. (Spanking your children is your parents or family member spanking them) Hitting another adult is not always a family member doing this. You dont spank your child in the face...... but other adults hit in the face...
2 completely different issues.

Answer 9

Spankings are not child abuse. If it was on any other part of the body but the behind, then you're talking a different story. It's mostly the sound that scares them.

Answer 10

Spanking has been used for many many years, I was spanked as a child, I was not abused. I don't agree that spanking is abuse. Do I think there are ppl who abuse there kids while doing this "YES" and it is sad.

Answer 11

Just ask yourself this question: Do I want to see my kid end up on the Jerry Springer show?

There is a big difference between spanking and abuse. Most parents who forgo spanking use ineffective replacement methods that lead to the kid ending up on a daytime talk show.