How many parents believe in spanking their children?

Question

My husband and I have one daughter who is 8. We are a Christian family, and strongly believe in spanking. The only implement we use is a spanking paddle. My husband is generally the one who is more of a disciplinarian. I have noticed that when our daughter gets a spanking from her father for something, she usually never does it again. It really works, but I am open to any opinions as this is a debated subject. I just hope people will see our views, too.

Answer 1

I`m not a parent but I do watch my niece and nephew occasionally,and believe me if they don`t behave themselves they get a whipping!!!!

Answer 2

I also spank and also use a paddle specifically designed for the purpose. Unlike in your home, I am the primary disciplinarian.

Although for the past decades (since the mid-1950's or so) due to some "research" and changing societal attitudes, there has been a big anti-spanking trend, I actually think with a lot of younger parents there is a trend toward coming back to a child raising method that has worked well for eons.

Although I was spanked as a kid I was convinced in college that it was inappropriate. So I did not at first spank when I had my own kids. To make a long story short--in the course of being a Mom I changed my tune and decided my parents were not so dumb and old fashioned after all.

I know that anectodal stories are not very useful--but that is the major reason I spank--it works for me. I also think it is fairer and less mean than punishments like time outs and groundings. A spanking gets the punishment over and the air is cleared. The other things drag the thing out. I don't want to be a parental jailer. With younger kids I think the whole point of why they are being punsihed is lost. With older kids it is no more of an effective punishment and inspiration to strive for better behavior than jailing adults is.


I think if more parents would spank--and do it correctly--they would be very surprprised by the results they get. And I don't mean for every little thing but not just as a last resort either. The real key to making it work is consistency.

I should also mention all the research that has been done on this subject showing it is bad. These are all statistically flawed. Infact to the surprise of one researchers who surveyed all the research--he found it to be the most effective method of getting children to comply with the wishes of their parents. For more information on this see my discussion at: http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-ggifacyzf...

There is a reason parents have been spanking since time immemorial. The anti-spanking movement is very new. And like a lot of new untested ideas I am convinced it is wrong.

Answer 3

First let me say that I was a step-parent to 4 children (from toddler to teenager) and I am a parent of a toddler now. I don't necessarily disagree with spanking. I received a number of them growing up and still remember most of those lessons. I am reasonably well adjusted adult with a graduate degree and a great job.

Having said that, I will say this. One thing you said bothers me. You say that you and your husband use a "spanking paddle". I don't know what state you live in (it doesn't really matter), but in most states that I am aware of using any implement constitutes abuse. I'm not saying that you are necessarily abusing your child, but I would get rid of the paddle and stick to the hand. It is just as effective and less likely to cause damage.

Personally, I believe that disciple must be in varying degrees based on the child's age, significance of the act, and potential for recurrence and I think spanking (with the hand only) is an appropriate level of discipline but not the only level.

Answer 4

I am not a parent yet, but I had parents who are christians & believed in not only spanking, but also discipline in other ways, depending on what worked for which child, and, according to Ephesians 6:4, teaching them why what we did was wrong... And when I do have children I will spank them as needed. I believe, (according to my father) that sitting down & explaining why & also how God views what I did, did far more to teach & train me than did a spanking, but each child is different, & my father had to spank my younger brother much more than me.
Hope this helps.

Answer 5

Spanking may work, but your daughter is starting to get a bit older now and should know better. Now that she's older people will start becoming a little "child abuse" like. Instead of spanking try talking to her like she's older now, eight year olds see a lot more then adults give them credit about. When she does something bad, instead of spanking her, sit her down on the chair and explain to her why she shouldn't do it. Don't get upset, don't shake her or anything else. Look her in the eyes, on your knee, and explain to her why she shouldn't do what she did anymore. She'll have a lot more respect and trust in you when she gets into her teenager years.

Answer 6

I don't think spanking per say is bad but strongly disagree with using anything but your hand! We have 2 children, one that has never been spanked (by us anyhow) and one that has been spanked probably 4-5 times in her life when she was totally out of control as a toddler. I think that it should be the last resort and that other methods such as time-outs, counting to 3, or evaluating if you are demanding too much is more important.

Answer 7

We spank our daughter too, but only with an open hand on the but. I truly believe that alot of the problems this world has today is because kids don't get disciplined. The goverment has people afraid to make there children behave. I was spanked as a child I came out just fine. There is a difference in spanking and beating your child. One spank on the butt is usally all it takes for our daughter to behave. As parents we are obligated to raise our children to be productive members of society. How can they learn to be that if they never learn authority.

Answer 8

Just the threast of it worked for me, it only had to be backed up once or twice. I see no problem with it. There's a difference between beating and a swift smack on the rear. I suffered no ill effects. A paddle might be a bit much, try a wooden spoon. My friends mom used that. She'd just wave it around and we'd chill out.

Oh, and we weren't religous, if that makes a difference.

I think the problem with the kids today, is they are so confident that they will never suffer consequences, they just run roughshod over adults. Parents feel guilty for working, so they spoil them, and don't make them face reality.

Some schools are even outlawing the use of red pens on papers, as it might upset the poor little darlings. I can't wait till this generation hits the big firm brick wall that is reality. But, it seems that many are opting on never moving out of mommy and daddy's house. Slackers.

Answer 9

I agree with you there are some things that a child should get spanked for. Not into excess where there are bruises left, but a fear of not doing it again. Sparing the rod really spoils the child. If need be my daughter did get spanked. She is age 7 now and spanking isnt out of the question but it usually isnt needed. A good talking to is always in order. With my second on coming when time comes if she does something wrong i will spank.

Answer 10

i think spanking is appropriate to children who are really out of line. but not if she just spills her milk on the ground. i also think that a paddle should not be used. she is a tender little child. try taking away her favorite toy first, and if she wants to cry, put her in her room (TV/toy less) and just let her cry. she will stop crying eventually when she sees shes not getting attention. spanking should be a last resort, and should not be done with a paddle.

Answer 11

First enable me say that i substitute right into a step-be sure to 4 toddlers (from infant to teen) and that i'm a be sure of a toddler now. i don't unavoidably disagree with spanking. I won particularly some them turning out to be up and nonetheless bear in ideas maximum of those instructions. i'm particularly nicely adjusted person with a graduate degree and a brilliant interest. whether, i will assert this. one difficulty you pronounced bothers me. you say which you and your husband use a "spanking paddle". i don't understand what state you reside in (it would not somewhat matter quantity), yet in maximum states that i'm attentive to using any enforce constitutes abuse. i'm not asserting which you're unavoidably abusing your toddler, yet i could do away with the paddle and shop on with the hand. it somewhat is barely as effectual and much less probably to reason injury. in my opinion, i believe that disciple could be in various ranges based on the youngster's age, value of the act, and ability for recurrence and that i think of spanking (with the hand in basic terms) is an perfect point of discipline yet not the only point.