Spanking children?

Question

As parents today how do we feel about this matter of disciplining our kids. How effective has this form of discipline affected you as a person. If you were spanked as a child has this helped you or made you worse. Also.. the difference between spanking and beating. Is there a scriptural basis for this method of discipline.

Answer 1

God ordained spanking as a means of discipline or correction. Here are some instructions about spanking from the Bible.
He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him (Proverbs 13:24).

Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him (Proverbs 22:15).

Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die (Proverbs 23:13).

The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother (Proverbs 29:15).
Spanking has been misused by many Christians (as well as non-Christians), and sometimes constitutes child abuse. However, when used within a nurturing, loving home, spanking can have very positive results.

When done well, spanking helps children grow in respect, obedience and self-control. It is not child abuse.
When done poorly, spanking results in anger and bitterness. It can harm children emotionally and physically, and may be child abuse.

Answer 2

My parents spanked me sometimes. It was reserved for serious offenses. It taught me respect for authority. "Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; the rod of correction will drive it far from him" (Proverbs 22:15). My dad didn't give me a whole lot of positive attention because he worked so much and that hurt. We still don't have as close a relationship as I would like because he still works a ton and I don't really feel comfortable sharing how I feel with him, especially negative emotions, but I don't think that spanking is a bad thing in and of itself, nor do I credit spanking with that lack of closeness. Some of that is my own natural tendency to shrug people off, including my parents, maybe especially my parents. It's not a bad form of discipline if used properly. Other disciplines can be overused and thus harmful to a child's development as well.

Answer 3

Spanking should be done to teach and discipline.
Beating is done out of anger. If you beat your child you will pass your anger right along to them.

If you are going to spank your child make sure that you aren't mad, because things can really get out of hand quickly. If there is alot of things on your mind then you should let some time pass before you decide to discipline your child, but let them know that they are in trouble because if you don't then they will say why are you spanking me...that was 6 hours ago.

I am not sure if there is a scriptural basis for this type of discipline though.

Have a great one!

Answer 4

My parents spanked us(4 kids) we are all upstanding responsible adults, never been in trouble with the law, not even traffic tickets. My husband was not spanked and is the most spoiled rotten person I have ever met. But, I have fixed that problem (ha ha), With our daughter she was spanked for certain things. When she reached the age of 6 or 7, she was given a choice of punishment. Which worked out rather well. She will be 24 next Monday, and came to us about 2 years ago and thanked us for the way she was raised and that we were great parents.(made me cry)I asked what made her say these things and she said that the majority of the kids she was in college with were nothing but rotten brats, had no respect for anyone including themselves.My daughter graduated with honors and holds 2 degrees, never been in trouble with the law or anything. I have seen kids raised with spanking and kids with no spankings, and believe you me, the kids that have been spanked are much more courteous, have manners and dont throw fits in restaurants or stores.

Spanking is a couple of swats on the behind,or on the hands when they are toddlers and beginning to crawl and get into things, it is not beating, beatings leave marks and bruises, spankings dont

Answer 5

Pro 22:15 Foolishness [is] bound in the heart of a child; [but] the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

Pro 13:24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

But, it is important to define the word ROD. In the Bible a rod is a fresh green flexible clipping from a tree. It stings when you spank a child with it but it leaves no marks. If the discipline leaves a mark on the child it has turned from spanking into beating. Yes, I was spanked as a child. Later in life I thanked my parents for having the courage to discipline me right.

Spanking should never be done in anger but should be preplanned. It should be pre-determined what the punishment will be for breaking a rule or bad behavior. The child should know ahead of time what the rule is and what will happen if that rule is broken and the parents need to follow through EVERY time. God is also a God of justice and to punnish where no rule exists is not just. The first time a child does something wrong...let's say for instance throwing a temper tantrum. The child should not be spanked the first time they throw a tantrum because no rule yet exists against it. But once a child throws their first tantrum then the rule can be set. "If you do that again you will get 5 with the switch." And the child must understand the rule and the punishment in order for justice to take place. It is also not just to not follow through on a set punnishment. This method also keeps the parent from going overboard and avoids arguments between mom and dad over what the punnishment will be.

Answer 6

I was spanked as a child, and when it was done "properly" I think ti was effective. Unfortunetly my father had a bad temper and at times he let his stress get out of control. As a result i was afraid of him.
As a parent now I have spanked my son, but it is only ever on the butt and not hard. My son is not at an age where you can always reason with him, so to get my "point" across sometimes I smack his butt. It seems to get through to him like nothing else does.
He is not hurt by it, and he usually apologizes right away. He has never flinched form me, so I know he is not afraid.

I would never want him to be afraid of me and I think if done properly as a tool of correction he will not be.

I think there is a huge difference between spanking and beating, the force of it, the reason for it and where and how.

Answer 7

It "made me" good...too good in fact...I am a perfectionist that is afraid to fail. I also think that form of discipline led me down some bad pathways, for many, many years...but I ended that cycle. I did not spank my kids, and I thought them right from wrong without it, just fine.
They are all remarkable adults...and I am happy about that. :)

Answer 8

If you provide a structured and consistent environment from the time a child is born, spanking will not be necessary.

Consistent, meaning - you mean what you say and do what you say you will do.

That requires choosing your battles from time to time - not sweating the small stuff, while having clear expectations.

Violent discipline, that is to say discipline that uses physical force of pain, will only ever teach violence.

My ex's son was spanked. It only made him an angry little boy.

I was spanked as a child, though very few times, and though it didn't scar me for life, I think other punishments would've been far more effective.

Answer 9

I think spanking is a fine form of discipline as long as it is not abused and used correctly (not crossing a line of abuse.) And you shouldn't use your hand (the hand is used to love). And spanking should not be your only punishment. And you should not spank a child after they have started school or are younger than 16 months.

there is the scripture...proverbs 13:24 but it doesn't say spanking outright. It just means discipline.

"He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes."

Answer 10

Interesting qustion. Id say spankings are good for a kid but not to abuse.
Let the kid know why hes getting spanked.