How many of you believe that hitting is assault unless it is done to a child, in which case "God said so"

Question

and thus you are only following orders? I'd like to hear how hitting someone defenseless (I don't care if he has 20 layers of clothing on and you only do it once) is a good thing to do. What kind of God would have you get violent with a child?

This bothers me deeply about society; how arcane laws stay in effect as long as they are popular. What gets me most is that very intelligent people do it to their children too, because it is socially acceptable. I've been told "Don't tell me how to raise my children.", and I am not. I am telling you not to assault your children. Why would an advanced society sugarcoat violence with the more accepted term "spanking"... and why can't so many people see through the excuses to how inherently wrong it is?

*Hobbit - First you claimed the child should be 5 or above, then you mentioned a toddler putting his hand near the stove. Which is it? And what's the difference? Battery is battery. If your toddler is walking around touching stoves then I'd have to ask you, as a parent, why you weren't keeping an eye on that poor kid knowing you had the stove on. Let me tell you, "No. No. Hot. Ow." works just the same and leaves some sense of trust intact. How could you force a child down or grab him by the arm and hit him, and then tell me it's right somehow? What if you did something I didn't like or that I thought was dangerous and I hit you? There is no lesson taught with pain. Skinner was the biggest idiot ever to grace the pages of psychology. I am trying to see your point of view, but I can't. It's a disgusting and cruel thing to do to someone who loves and trusts you most in the world. There are so many non-violent ways to deal with children that aren't primitive or assaulting.

"Spanking's a hell of a lot better than caning!"
Did you ever stop to think that everyone perceives spanking differently and that using a tool to hit a child is a common occurrence in "spanking"? Just because one is perhaps more severe than the other doesn't make them both ANY less wrong. Get a grip? I should ask the same of you.

Answer 1

Thank you. I have often wondered the same thing myself. I mean, in America, the murderers in prison are treated with more respect than many people's children.

I wonder how many of those murderers were hit by their own parents? Violence always breeds more violence. Doesn't hitting a child teach her/him that the way to deal with people doing things you don't like is to get violent with them? My favorite is when you see a parent hit their child for hitting a sibling. Whatever happened to logic?????

Answer 2

Because no matter how smart we are as a species or advanced as a society, we still operate out of our lower reptillian brain, which easily associates pain with not doing something again.

I am an advocate of spanking in certain circumstances. When a person is between teh ages of 5 and 13-ish, when they do something that is very dangerous to them or others, and when other forms of punishment do not work. For example, little 7 year old Susie keeps poking her brother with a fork. You tell her no. You put her in a time out. You try to make her see how much she's hurting her brother when she draws blood. She wants attention. She keeps doing it. If you spank her, she associates pain with doing something, and is less likely to do it again.

It's not a foolproof disciplinary act, but it helps in some cases. Just as asking nicely doesn't always work, spanking wont' always work. You need a blend of tools to raise a child.

And if your kid wants to touch an oven, and you say "don't do that" and they do it anyway and get 2nd degree burns, and use that pain to learn a lesson, don't you think it'd be better if you spanked their bottom and let them use that pain, that there-for-30-seconds pain that won't leave scars instead?

Answer 3

Im soooo grateful...that spanking is illegal in Canada! This is a good question. Many people misunderstand this meaning....the Bible says "Use the Rod" ...disciplining your children. Back in 'those' times the leader of the family describes using the rod/or staff(hope thats spelled right) as means of excersising lead and headship. To use the rod- means to take action and maintain good under the roof of the household...not literally beating children or family members...but that the head of the house keeps things in order.
"Raise up your boy in the faith of God..and he shall not step aside from it"
"Children are gifts from God" and all that God gives us is good. Not hatred. Hatred comes from the Devil. By having strong faith in God, we will admonish our children in the right way with kindness....just as Jesus taught...we must also teach.

We set examples, and by not physically harming our children, we therefore prevent or stop patterns of abuse from developing.

Answer 4

I don't believe in hitting your children just to hit them but I do believe in discipline.HELLO?! Have you ever seen those bratty kids running around the mall screaming their heads off and being brats and their parents just standing there?!I think that they should be slapped!(the parents)And I also think you need to get a grip!Our society and it's term "spanking"is a hell of alot better than caning and other countries disciplines so before you go complaining about spanking think about that and then type!

Answer 5

I have three sons and we have never used corporal punishment of any fashion. I've had many folks argue with me that it's the only thing that works, but these same people tell me what wonderful children I have. I hope someday they might learn something from my example.

Answer 6

Disciplining a child with a swat across the backside is hardly assault. Get a grip.

Answer 7

I don't know why people think they can assault their children. I've never spanked my child.