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 Some people see spanking as an outdated method of punishment or even child abuse, while others view a swat on the bottom as a parent's prerogative.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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Is Spanking an Acceptable Form of Discipline?
Spanking is harmful to children
Parents are role models for childrens behavior. When we cuss, children learn to curse, when we hit, slap or spank, children learn to hit. Spanking is a violent act. Spanking with belts, paddles or extension cords is clearly child abuse.
It is far better to be a good role model and to talk firmly to your children about what behavior is expected. Use time-outs, denial of TV, outside activities, etc. to make your point.
See www.nospankingzone.org People Opposed to Paddling Students, Houston
- Jimmy Dunne
July 25, 2008 8:33AM
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thats whats wrong with kids today
a good spanking on the rump is what most kids need. thats why they have no respect for anybody these days.when most of us adults remember when we were young and got out of control we would be turned over on our parents lap and our rump beat into jelly .and we had respect .but over the years people started going to far with it and started being to violent and thats when the line was drawn.but was drawn in a wrong way.now if you look at a kid wrong you will get locked up and thats not right that just gave the kids the run of the roost.and thats whats wrong with them today (giving kids control)i think if a kid gets out of control a parent should turn them over on their lap and give them a old fashion spanking on the rump.and if they go to far with it .send them to prison for a while.not make other parents cut out spankings so their kids can get out of control.
- blah
December 11, 2008 7:38PM
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Spanking does NOT bring respect
Spanking children does not bring respect for the parent, it brings anger, hatred and fear. It shows that the parent is out of control and is resorting to hitting a small defenseless child. People are not for hitting and children are people too. Discipline should be for teaching, not for punishment. Let the child know what you approve and disapprove of and they will want your approval.
Jimmy Dunne, People Opposed to Paddling Students, Houston 281.584.9707 see www.nospankingzone.org
- Jimmy Dunne
December 12, 2008 8:20AM
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I was spanked..and I respect my parents.
I was spanked until I turned 15 years old. If I did something wrong, I knew that I was going to get a spanking for it and most of the time that was the only reason I refrained. All children are different. Some children benefit from spanking, and others don't. My sister was spanked as a child, and it did her no good, because she was always stubborn and wasn't afraid of the pain. So therefore, my parents had other ways of punishing her. But for me, it worked. I did respect my parents for it, because they were always very clear about what they expected from me, and I knew what would happen if I did something wrong. Therefore, I still respected them for it. I may not have liked it when I was younger, but I did not hate my parents for it. Like I said, it may not work for certain children, but time-outs don't work for certain children either. In time-out, most creative children would entertain themselves, even if there was absolutely nothing in the room that was entertaining. The responsibility falls on individual parents. It is NOT abuse, if you do not hurt the child to the point of bruises or scarring.
- bellajames
April 13, 2009 3:00PM
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Spanking isn't meant to bring respect
Not every action a parent takes is meant to engeander respect. I do believe that spanking a child out of anger and frustration is abuse, not discipline .
- Russell Fine
May 23, 2009 11:18AM
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Spanking does NOT bring respect
SEE you got it figured out it is all in how you deliver that spanking that matter's I think I got plenty growing and my son as well.You can't act like a enraged idiot while dealing with kids but you put best I think.
- muffmonster36
September 2, 2009 11:36AM
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Out of love
Yes a parent should not ever spank out of anger or frustration.The problem today is the two parent are out to work and there is no discipline in the homes
My wife stayed at home and I went to work outside of the home.When I got home that was the time the children got there spankings after a talken to.
- countryboy
September 3, 2009 2:23PM
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Spanking does NOT bring respect
I think your dead wrong evryone in my family as far as I can remeber has gotten whippings and we are all good folk's never shot a school up or co- workers and we are hard working and god fearing people.It is the lack of punishment that is the problem with kids now aday's so look's to me like your wrong!!!
- muffmonster36
September 2, 2009 11:31AM
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Model Parents "Beat Child's Rump To Jelly"
Hang on everyone,
-forget people with model children who have never raised a hand to them
-forget those who turn around the behavoir of troubled youth without violence
-forget those who have spent years and years studying family life
-and move over Dr. Phil and Supernanny,
We've got some winning advice right here!
- PDeverit
May 6, 2009 10:06PM
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Define Harmful...
Mr. Dunne,
I am one of seven children the youngest of which is 43 years old. We were all spanked. Examples include (but are not limited to) the following: hands, hot-wheel tracks, piece of oak baseboard, switches and belts.
Your argument indicates there was long term harm done to us but I don't see it. We have the following accomplishments between us, 1 MBA, 4 Bachelor of Science degrees, 6 Associate Degrees, 7 High School diplomas. There are also 22 children in the 6 marriages and 3 of us have been married over 25 years. None of us have been in prison or convicted of a felony. There is no child abuse in any of the families and there are only 2 children of the 22 that have serious issues. Those children were adopted from the County from a mother who used cocaine and alcohol during the pregnancy (Look up Fetal Alcohol Syndrome).
Specifically what harm is done? From my experience spanking works for a time, and properly applied does not harm the child but actually gives them boundaries. Should spanking be used with all children. Absolutely not. Each child is different and some things that work on one do not work on others. Spanking is a last resort punishment that should not be used lightly. Being consistent is what counts. There is also a point where spanking becomes insulting to the child and at that point it loses it's effectiveness. Every child is different and the age where spanking stops is extremely variable.
And don't give me the argument that there are always exceptions. Your statements do not support that.
- TheCatholicHeretic
June 16, 2009 3:50PM
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Yes
It most definitely helped me as a child. Time-outs, denial of TV etc. etc. did nothing to change my ways. But a good spanking (with or without belt) told me exactly how to behave. Now their is a difference between spanking and slapping, just as there is a difference between spanking and beating. A spanking is good and effective while a beating or slapping is obviously child abuse.
- Dylandts
August 13, 2009 8:33PM
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Yes
OOORAH....Leave it to a fellow Marine to say it best....EVERYONE should read this because you said it best......
- muffmonster36
September 2, 2009 11:40AM
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Yes it is
A Spanking set me straght a time or two.Not spanking and letting your child go wild is more like child abuse.
- countryboy
September 3, 2009 2:07PM
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Is Spanking an Acceptable Form of Discipline?
I thinlk your wrong!!!!!I got plenty of whoopin's with belt's my son did and my uncle's 9 of them and my dad did and a handful of cousin's NONE of my family are law breaker's we all work hard do right for the most part and myself and several other's are or were in the Marines(not perfect but good people)AND WE NEVER SHOT A SCHOOL UP OR CO WORKER"S and we credit our WHOOPIN"S for our being good people and nobody in my family has ever been arrested for child abuse!!!!
- muffmonster36
September 2, 2009 11:25AM
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