Why was it ok for parents to spank their kids in the past, but not these days?

Question

I got spanked and grew up loving my mom and to be succesful and so have other friends of mine and other older generations I know. People just let their kids walk all over them these days, they are scared of their own kids.

Answer 1

because parents have gotten soft. a good spanking never hurt anyone and the kid finds out you are serious quick if you spank them. that is why most kids are out of control and don't respect anyone, cuz they were raised in daycares and their parents didn't discipline them.

Answer 2

The problem with society today is that parents are scared to spank their kids because teachers and social workers tell them if we do to tell someone or call the police. There is a big difference in spanking and beating and done in moderation never hurt anyone. I got my last spanking around age 16 and I loved my dear mother until the day of her passing. I am a minister now and tell parents follow your heart when dealing with your children. Proverbs 22:6 says it best. Raise up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.

Answer 3

There was this movement that began in the 60's that forbade any type of discipline in child rearing. Now because spanking is deemed abusive by some people, and no one wants Child Protective Services breathing down their necks and threatening to take their children away, spanking has become relegated to something we should be ashamed of doing. The theory among some is that it propagates violent behavior. I have observed that the results of not spanking children are children who are disassociative in their behavior and relationships to parents and other authority figures.

I am of the old school as you are. I was spanked as a child, I have spanked my own sons in an appropriate way, and I would recommend any parent do the same if they want to raise respectful, obedient and loving children. Children need to know that their parents love them enough to enforce limits and consequences.

Answer 4

I totally agree with you. My mum and dad did the same with me and I'm no worse for it. I know some parents take it too far and that's why it's not acceptable to do so any more and why there are laws in place but it just goes to show with the state of the kids these days, what a good slap would do to sort them out! I think you can control kids without this but as the new generation of kids proves, they are in serious need of discipline. Maybe not "spanking" but some sort of punishment. They are out of control!

Answer 5

This is a great question.

I'm 30 years old and was spanked by my parents, as was my husband. We both grew up in loving, caring homes and both turned out to be successful, respectful adults.

As new parents to a 2 year old, we have debated over this issue. I don't live by the books but do agree w/ a lot of things I've read regarding discipline (OTHER than spanking). My husband says we should just spank our son (when he's older) and future children. Who knows what the future will brings but as of right now, I vow to try every method of discipline before I resort to spanking.

Like I said, I'm a new mom learning as I go and I can't, honestly, say I'll never spank my child. I do believe there are alternative routes to discipline and as long as they continue to work for me/ us, I will stick with it. My son will NOT walk all over me nor will I be scared of him. He will grow up to be well-behaved and respectful to others.

My fear of spanking my child(ren) is doing so out of anger, which I never want to do.

Answer 6

While I agree that parent should be in control, I think that in general society believes that spanking instills fear and plants seeds of negativity toward authority in children. I think that there is a way that parents can maintain a respectful form of discipline without spanking. I was spanked as a child as well and I can remember being terrified of it, mom used spoons not just her hand.

Answer 7

I think it comes from the bible. many parents back when I was growing up followed that book and lived by it. So it was ok to spank your child. Now a days, being as a lot of people are able to think more freely, have their own ways of discipline. And it's hard to tell the difference between spanking and abuse. I spank my children as a last resort.

Answer 8

I got spanked, and grew up to be a great adult, I work and take care of my children, whom I also spank. I see the kind of kids that you are talking about everyday. I work in a law office, that deals with a lot of juvenile cases. I wish I could only spank them as they come through the door. The way they sit down with their little smirk and think that they are cool. I hear the way they talk to some of their parents, and grand parents. I take that back, not only would I spank them, I would slap the taste out of their mouth. Maybe that is what they are missing is a good ol' fashion bringing up. I FOR ONE SPANK AND SPANK PROUD!!!!

Answer 9

I totally agree with you. I was spanked growing up and turned out fine. I think parents are afraid because of child protective services and all other kinds of stuff that are around know a days that weren't back in the older days. It is too easy for anyone to call them up and say you are beating your kids, when actually you are just discipling them.

Answer 10

Like the one guy said it can lead to violence, but to me that is just a crock, those parents that lead the kids to violence, are beating their kids, not spanking them, to me a swat on the buttocks worked for me when I was a kid, and I am not violent! Now days kids use it against their parents, and that is just not right.
But since it is a part of the legal system now, there is not a whole lot you can do about it. Some parents still spank of course, but just privately and where it doesn't leave any marks. Which to me is reasonable

Answer 11

As a teacher, I can tell you that the students who behave the best are the ones who have parents or even a single parent/guardian who consistently discipline their children, to include spanking. I am not talking about those who injure their children or cross the lines by lashing out in anger with them. I am talking about the ones who mostly keep their calm and discipline out of love.

Many people don't approve of spanking because they think it teaches children violence. However, proper discipline done in love instead of anger teaches that there are painful consequences in life when we make poor choices. Students without consistent discipline are the ones who tend to end up in the behavioral programs such as Alternative Education and Adaptive Behavior.