Is Spanking an Acceptable Form of Discipline?

Is Spanking an Acceptable Form of Discipline?

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 Some people see spanking as an outdated method of punishment or even child abuse, while others view a swat on the bottom as a parent's prerogative.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?

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  • reb412
    Laws and abuse

    I guess semantics and definitions are where the lines get blurred.
    "Now almost 30 years later, 90% of Swedish parents do not believe in spanking children."

    Do they not believe in spanking or do they not believe it's right to hit a child?

    I don't believe it's right to hit a child....but I believe that spanking is different than "striking" or "hitting" a child.

    It seems that a lot of these laws passed in the EU make a distinction between the two (as they still allow for spanking...swatting...or whatever you want to call it). So that's why I ask. If 90% of the parents say they do not believe in "spanking" it could be semantics as they might still "swat" their children (as the law states they are allowed).

    - reb412 August 31, 2008 7:47PM

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    • edwin p
      THERE IS AN ANSWER TO THIS

      I think that what is meant in the EU Laws is the fact that the law is not going to prosecute every single little tap on the wrist. Also, parents are allowed to grab children to pull them away from danger such as speeding cars and hot stoves. The purpose of the law is to control parents who can't control themselves and then turn around and use the Law as a nursemaid to try and keep them out of trouble. In other words, before they hit a child, they should think twice and not expect the law to bail them out if they go too far. Under our proposed Canadian Law, all cases would have to go through the Attorney General which would act as a filter to prevent parents from being prosecuted for frivilous reasons and thus assuring that only cases with merit would ever see the inside of a courtroom.

      - edwin pCA September 1, 2008 3:50PM

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      • reb412
        Makes sense

        Yes that does make sense. I do still emphasize that someone who is striking their child (out of impulse, anger, etc.) is not "really" spanking. But protection should probably be offered for things such as you mentioned. I am curious what the stats are on what level of income, types of families, etc. that the most child abuse occurs in.

        One of the things I'm worried about with passing this type of law is the enforcement of it. Everyone has a different definition of discipline and if a neighbor has an extreme view of "child abuse" (for instance...my neighbor thinks it's a form of mental abuse to say "no" to a child in a raised tone) than you're going to have parents calling in and accusing ridiculous things because they define it differently.

        - reb412 September 1, 2008 5:25PM

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