You have probably heard the expression, "Spare the rod, spoil the child." Do you agree with it? Perhaps you were spanked as a kid. Was it appropriate? Some people see spanking as an outdated method of punishment or even child abuse, while others view a swat on the bottom as a parent's prerogative. Where do we draw the line when it comes to disciplining our children?
Parents hit children to change their behavior in the present and in the future. Spanking usually stops misbehavior of small children just for the moment, not over the long term. Studies show that the more children are spanked the less likely they are to be compliant and well-behaved in the long term. Spanking does not teach children why their behavior was wrong or what they should do instead; it teaches children that the only reason to behave appropriately is to avoid being punished. Effective discipline involves teaching children how to behave and why so that they can make appropriate choices in the future.
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