Should spanking be used to discipline your child?

Question

Should spanking be used to discipline your child at any circumctanses? Is the saying "Spare the stick, spoil the kid." outdated as woman in the kitchen? Are methods like "Quiet Time" or denying previleges from a child much more effective means to discipline a child? Should modern parents even bother to discipline their children?

not talking about beating. Spanking. Palm to the behind just enough to let the child know he or she has done something wrong.

Answer 1

If more kids got the daylights whipped out of them we wouldn't have 13 yr. olds with babies of their own and kids on drugs who aren't old enough to drive.

I never did drugs, never had sex, never smoked, never drank, never stole, never did anything like that. Why? Because if I would have I would've gotten my butt beat so hard I wouldn't have been able to sit for a week.

I see parents all the time threaten their kids with a "time out" and their kids just laugh in their face. Or kids who get put in time out and are back in time out 5 minutes later.

Spanking works--and I'm a living example. I can only remember being spanked 4 or 5 times in my whole life.

Now, that being said I don't think spankings are the appropriate punishment for everything. Groundings or taking things away works too. But if a spanking is needed it should definitely be distributed.

Kids have no respect for their parents these days because parents have too much respect for their kids.

Answer 2

No. Spanking should not be used to discipline your child.

A child learns what she/he lives, as the saying goes.

You spank your child, and your child learns that hitting someone is a means of correcting someone. Especially if you are bigger than the person you are correcting. Which is, of course, wrong.

You have to be consistent and not back down from taking privileges away from a child when you decide you are going to truly discipline and not spank.

I believe that most spanking is done because the parent has not learned what to do instead or thought through what to do, and spanking is used as a last resort or 'quick fix', and is difficult to do without bringing anger into the situation.

Discipline is a must, but hitting/spanking/threatening a child is the wrong course of action.

Take a look at what "Supernanny" does. It is very VERY effective. The child will sit in the 'naughty spot,' for a limited time, and have to apologize, etc. It is time consuming, and tries your patience, but it works.

Hitting begets hitting.

Answer 3

you know, I used to be against spanking. I used to think that there were other, just as effective methods of disciplining a child, but that was because I have a very "easy" child. She is generally pretty good, but she has her moments. And then I started babysitting this little boy who is totally out of control. And I mean, TOTALLY out of control, he has no respect for authority or anyone else for that matter. Honestly, if I were his mom, he would be getting a swat on the butt. I do believe that only serious offenses should be punished with a spank, but when a kid is out of control and time outs dont work, sometimes a spank is needed.

Answer 4

No. DISCIPLINE is to teach by word and deed ... as in Deuteronomy 5 & 6. Bring them up in the nurture and teachings of the Lord.

It does seem that most people, even children and teens, sometimes need PUNISHMENT. Uncomfortably, sometimes the punishment might be in the form of a "spanking".

Spanking might be used as PUNISHMENT, but not to "DISCIPLINE"!! Punishment frequently is a consequence of not being well disciplined or self-disciplined.

Answer 5

I believe in only the worse possible situation should spanking be used. If its trying to deter the child from doing something that is dangerous to themself or others. The spanking will be an unpleasant association with the event. Children NEED to be disciplined or they don't learn to respect authority or boundaries. My husband's most ironic one he likes is when some parent spanks the kid and is yelling, "don't hit".

Answer 6

There are some children for whom nothing else will work. This doesn't mean spanking as in beating but spanking as a paddle on the butt can be very effective. I think largely, though, people just need to tighten up their discipline. My child, for instance, knows that I WILL spank her from the experience she's had (and it's not a pain thing as much as embarrassment) so I don't have to spank her.

PhotoMe has a good point....spanking is good for a deterrant. I didn't do the same things for the same reason. First time I told my mom that I would call the police if she touched me she said, "Great, I should be able to make it worth an arrest in the time it takes them to get here." Never made that mistake again.

I'd never spank like my mom did either but then I didn't turn out too bad.

Answer 7

I used to, but now I found some alternatives that work well. I felt really angry with myself many times after. I also became aware of the propensity to go over board and found myself on the border of discipline and abuse. I can also remember how I felt about being spanked as a child. I carried a lot of resentment around for a long time. I believe spanking demeans a child's self esteem. Just my perspective.

Answer 8

Yes...modern parents NEED to disipline their kids. Hello!
Part of the problem w/ todays youth is that they lack disipline/guidence. Parents are too busy either trying to be their childs 'best friend' or too busy working to provide cell phones, X boxes and such items.

Spanking is not evil when done modestly. I have 11 & 9 year old boys that lecturing them is enough. I have a 3 year old she doesn't do things that require a spanking (yet) lucky her...lucky me.
I think when physical punishment is the first or only answer it becomes ineffective. I also think a mutual understanding of respect is in order & children need to know that they are on the bottom of the totem pole!
I have seen some kids in public that would benefit greatly from a quick swat on the butt.

Answer 9

I don't think there is a definitive answer.

In some cases it is a useful (and not harmful) tool. In other cases, it is excessive and extremely harmful for the mental well being of the child.

In my experience, kids that were raised with "time outs" and a lot of positive reinforcement (to the total exclusion of corporal punishment) have some serious social problems. However, those problems are nothing compared to the mental torments that a physically abused child has.

Tough call... My answer is this: Consider each situation carefully, and do nothing based on your own emotional anger. Remember that you are raising a child, not seizing the opportunity to vent your frustrations with these acts of punishment....

Answer 10

Well I am against spanking and my partner is all for it.

It depends on the parents really, I was brought up without being hit once by my parents and yet was still terrified of doing something wrong. So I fully believe that as long as you are a good parent and able to discipline your child successfully without spanking then there really is no need.

However, my partner always got a flogging when he did something wrong when he was younger and he believes that it is necisary for bringing up a child.

It's merely a matter of opinion. I managed to make a comprimise with my fiance and we decided to try my technique first and if that fails we will use his. I can assure you till this date my son has never had a flogging and I doubt very much he ever will.

Best of luck

Maria