is it ever acceptable to smack your children?

Answer 1

it is not at all an acceptable to smack children. it is inhuman.

Answer 2

There are instances in which it could be at the very least justifiable, if not acceptable. I think we all have that panic response when a child reaches for something dangerous and we swat their hands away. I don't think it's acceptable to smack in anger, that's something that parents need to be able to keep under control. That's what teaches kids that it's ok to hit when they're angry. Your kids are going to pi$$ you off sometimes and you need to keep your cool. The bigger question in the smack/don't smack question has less to do with acceptability and more to do with efficacy. Kids will respond MUCH better to positive and negative reinforcement than to physical punishment. I really believe that smacking is the lazy parent's method of punishment. A proactive parent will preempt most bad behavior by giving positive feedback when the child is behaving well, thus creating a system in which the child strives to continue his/her good behavior to keep the parental praise and positive attention coming.

Answer 3

I think up until the age of 5 a good spanking (that is a controlled spanking, never spank when your really angry, your liable to lose control and do some damage) can teach a child a lesson. I think pain can be a good motivator..think of a child who touches a hot stove, what are the odds that he is going to touch the stove again? I reserved spanking for times when the child did something that puts himself in danger. I think a swift smack on the rear says a whole lot more than "honey, running away from mommy in the parking lot is dangerous" If my child runs into the road he is going to get hit, either by me or a moving vehicle.

Answer 4

to teach them right from wrong then yes, im not talking a good whacking just a smack


it doesn't do them any harm UNLESS your constantly doing this of course

they respect you more and turn out to be better as adults

once or twice my kids got a smack for smashing a bowl,or something else cant really remember now, they never did anything wrong again and now are 18 and 20 and great young adults who have give me no trouble what so ever
actually i think there the best kids (ops sorry young adults)anyone could wish for
and im very proud of them

Answer 5

The PC answer is of course no. However, in reality....
I don't smack mine unless they were going to do something harmful like touch the hot fire & then I would smack their hand away. If you don't smack as a rule then do so when danger is involved, they understand more the significance that what they were doing was something not to be done again - with an explanation of course.

Answer 6

Depends on what they did and their age. Babies between newborn and I'd say 8 shouldn't get smacked. They are still learning how to deal with responsibilities. When they are older then 8 they should now better.
Sometimes just talking to them about the situation isn't enough.

Answer 7

Absolutely.....every day!!!

No just kidding....only when my children do something that can seriously hurt them do they get smacked on the bottom for it....like run out toward the road or ride their boogie board down the steps.(My 4 1/2 year old actually just did this the other day!)

Answer 8

I give my little boy a slight tap when he has done something really really bad!
but id never smack him just for the fun of it!

Answer 9

It is acceptable to smack your child i do not have any but that is a reasonable way to punish them Just not on there face

Answer 10

Yes

Answer 11

mine are to old to smack they would beat me up even if i tried . but if they were still young a tap on the hand to stop them touching fire or hot cooker after you'v told them loads of times not to would be ok .