Is spanking considered a common sense punishment or abuse? Why?

Answer 1

For my own part, I have never spanked my two girls, ages 16 and 10. To be frank, there was never a principal involved...I could just never reconcile hitting someone that I loved. Period.

However, I think it's RIDICULOUS to think that one method of parenting will work for every child. Ludicrous, even. I realize that there are those children for whom "time-outs" and "restorative punishment" simply don't work.

For the parents of those children, I'd like to think that spankings, when they're absolutely necessary, are administered when you're not in the throes of anger, when you're very likely to inflict very real physical harm and, hence, cross the line into "abuse."

Good Lord, this parenting gig is hard work, ain't it? :-)

Answer 2

I am on the borderline for this question. I don't like the idea of hitting any child, no matter what age, for what ever punishment, but I know people do it ( me included, but not so hard to bruise, just to let them know they did something wrong), this is after the corner or time out does not work. It does not teach morals, but in a sense it teaches them right from wrong from what they were doing wrong in the first place. Everyone has their ideas and opinions though...I see the reality in all of them. I was as a child (8 yrs ago), spanked by my father with a belt, so that I know is not even allowed in my eyes.

Answer 3

Florida Statues state that spanking is allowable by law so I think it's a judgement call.

Personally, I feel that how and why one would spank their child would depend on the abuse factor. Obviously to go and use a belt is abusive (in my mind) or to use say, a 2x4 is a little extreme.

I was raised that spanking is a last resort and have practiced that same mind set with my own child. Fortunately I'm blessed with the type of child who can be reasoned with and very rarely have I had to spank.

Answer 4

it depends entirely upon the laws of the state you live in. However, religious belief does not trump the law in cases of harm to others. What if your religious belief (as supported by the bible, in fact) led you to stone your neighbor to death for working on the sabbath? Would you expect that your religious belief, as found in the bible would trump your neighbor's right to life? I think not. Now, I am a believer in corporal punishment within reason. I spanked my children until the were of an age when there were other, more powerful and subtle punishers to use (like groundings, or taking away television privileges or whatever. I'm quite sure I left a red mark on a child's bottom on several occasions, but nothing that wouldn't fade within a day. In my state, the litmus test is causing damage or breaking skin, or, essentially, leaving a mark that will last several days. I don't disagree with that limitation.

Answer 5

Apparently there are some state officials in California that think it is abuse - and hence a new law is being enacted that would consider spanking to be child abuse. I think a pat on the rump can do a little duffer good sometimes. I don't think it should be done to excess or to leave a mark - but when a smart tap on a diaper padded bottom works - why not?

Answer 6

My son has liked being spanked firmly since he was born, it calms him down. So in order to use it as punshment I would have to hit him so hard that it would inflict -probably no small amount - pain. I say no small amount because my son falls down and rarely cries even when he lands hard enough to leave a bruise on his bum.

So for this to be an effective punishment how hard exactly would I have to hit him?

You know what, I tried spanking my dog as per a training instructor and it didn't work, why would I try it on my kid?

Answer 7

I dont look at it as being abuse or a good way of punishment. I think there are other ways of punishments that dont involve hitting someone. Im not saying I wont spank my son, but it wont be the automatic punishment. We will try other things before we hit.

Answer 8

I don't think it's either. It's not a good punishment, I would try other things but I wouldn't spank my child. I do other things, and if I do need to do something like that, I smack their hand which usually scares them more than anything.

Answer 9

I think spanking is fine, as long as it is not excessive. My mom spanked me growing up and I do not consider my self abuse and I look up to her. Also, I have never been in any serious trouble after I received spankings, such as being arrested.

Answer 10

I do not know the age of your child Spanking can be either depending on how it is used. Wisely when you are calm a spanking can be useful if you have a strong willed child but in anger spanking is never wise.