Should you spank your children?

Answer 1

Absolutely not.

No child deserves to live in fear of physical harm and humiliation from their parent.

Spanking teaches children that they should control and humiliate others and use violence in order to solve personal problems. It teaches children that big people are supposed to punish smaller people.

While in the beginning the surprise, shock, and sense of violation may seem to be effective, it will rapidly lose it effectiveness over time. Furthermore, while spanking may discourage negative behavior, it does not encourage positive behavior which is a more important parent responsibility.

Apologists for spanking argue that there is a difference between spanking and abuse,( but try telling that to a child.) Where exactly do you draw the line? I feel that the difference between corporal punishment and physical abuse is merely a philosophical one. In all cases I think you will find that apologists are actually seeking to justify their own mistreatment as a child.

Answer 2

Spanking a child on the rear for disiplinary action is not and should not be illegal. The amount of force used is questionable. I would say it all depends on their age. If they can reasonably understand what they did wrong and why (if they have not been told before), then no, I do not believe that spanking is required. If the child is not old enough to comprehend the difference between right and wrong and WHY, then I believe a slight bit of physical punishment should be used as a reminder to the child that this action is bad and have a pain (not major) associated with it. On the other hand, just taking away certain toys or possessions or even a "time-out" can get through the child about what they did wrong and that it should not be repeated.

All in all, I believe that it depends on the situation. If I had to tell one of my boys the same thing 3 or more times and have used time out or restriction, then yes, I would resort to spanking (but only hard enough that they feel it and understand it and soft enough that no matter what, I would not feel guilty because I hurt my child).

There are ways to raise a child without spanking and for some parents that is the best way to go. I think that using reasoning and having the child understand it is the best way for the mental development of the child.

Answer 3

I see nothing wrong with a good spanking. There is a fine line between a spanking and a beating. I was spanked as a child and see nothing wrong with it. I do spank my own children, but I try not to use it as my only means of punishment. Spanking is only used when something serious has occurred. I don't think children should be spanked with anything other than a bare open hand. Today's children are not to be spanked, reprimanded or anything. That is the problem with youth today. They lack guidance and discipline. But guidance is another subject all together.

Answer 4

I think it depends on the child and on the situation. My parents always gave me 2 warnings and if I didn't stop, then I would get a spanking. It was always on the bum and with an open hand. Also, they never did it out of anger.

There's a big difference between spanking and beating.

I'm a firm believer that there's nothing wrong with a spanking, but it should be used as a last resort. AND, you should always make sure to sit down and talk with your child and make sure they understand why they got spanked.

Answer 5

I was spanked as a child & felt humiliated so I did not spank my child. I'm not talking about a tap on the hand or butt. I mean a whipping, that's what parents in my day believed in. Now that my daughter is grown & has children of her own she tells me that I should have spanked her. She spanks her children & I don't approve. She tells me she would have been a better child if she had been spanked. I still do not agree, I think it is humiliating & degrading & that there are other ways of discipline that are better.

Answer 6

Yes i do believe in Spanking. SPANKING NOT BEATING. A spanking is a swat or 2 on the bottom. A spanking is not violence in my thinking.

I have 2 kids 15 and 6 and one on the way. My children listen, and i have only spanked them a handful of times each. A swat doesn't harm a child. I do use it as a last choice , and dont enjoy it.

However my child at 4 looked at me the first time I spanked her, and said " mommy did you want me to cry it doesn't hurt"? My son was like dont say that she thinks its just killing us. They both know it tears me up and knows if i spank Its bad!

I was beat as a child, switches, belts, paddles , fists FOR EVERYTHING.... But mine also chose to name call and to talk down to me and my siblings like we were dogs... No the treated the dogs better. I think the emotional abuse was way worse, I wish they had just hit then too. The emotional scars were way worse.

So I do know the difference. I would never ever make a child feel like that , or hurt them in any way. They are not allowed with my parents unless I am there. Like I said a spanking is fine but Abusing, and name calling is totally wrong.

Answer 7

The only people who say "no spankings" are the ones who never had them done the correct way...A spanking is a form of discipline. Use a belt and give three licks across the behind..Do not try to bruise the child, just let him know what he did was not acceptable..I spank my children when I have to..It's not fun, but I have good kids..Show them lots of love before and after the spanking. They will appreciate you one day. I was spanked as a child and I suffer no ill affects from it.

Answer 8

Yes! I was spanked as a child and I never did those things again. One time I did something REALLY bad and my grandma used a belt. VERY painful And apparently she used the belt on all her children growing up and I was the only one who only got is once!
But seriously don't get abusive, but spanking is effective.

Answer 9

The only time i think that you should spank your kids is if they have been especially bad. Light spanking is ok too.

Answer 10

lol i would have rather be spanked then being thrown a chair at (not a good memory to remember my dad by)... spanking your kids doesnt mean ure a bad parent / parents but it does depend on the situation. if you've tried talking with your kids on whats wrong and right and yet still they ignore it then spank them not too hard but only to make them understand what they did was wrong... but make sure you tell them why you did so...