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 Some people see spanking as an outdated method of punishment or even child abuse, while others view a swat on the bottom as a parent's prerogative.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

Next question in Society

You are seeing 5 Comments on this Objection. See all 383 Comments on this Question.

Regarding Objection

Banning Corporal Punishment of Children is Working in Other Countries

- From Center for Effective Discipline

Open Objection Go to this Objection

Most of these countries still allow spanking

It's hitting that is illegal. I love the link you attached as it's very informative, I learned new stuff. Thanks.

This should be mentioned about these States that banned corporal punishment (Using the swiss as an example):
"The Swiss supreme court ruled in July 2003 that parents have a limited right to smack their children. Anything beyond an occasional smack will constitute a criminal offense the court said."

Also, I lived in Peru for awhile and travelled to Chile quite a lot and though Chile is in the list.....they certainly spank their kids there! :-)

(more on the link you submitted: http://www.stophitting.com/laws/legalReform.php )

- reb412 August 30, 2008 8:52PM

Reply to this Recommend (0) Side: Yes

Thank You for your Comment

We review all comments before they're posted. For more on our comment policy, please see our FAQ.
- THE LAW IN CHILE IS FAIRLY NEW
  
  Chances are since the law in Chile just went into effect recently, you were probably there when spanking was still legal.When the law went into effect in Sweden in 1979, 90% of Swedish parents believed in spanking. Now almost 30 years later, 90% of Swedish parents do not believe in spanking children. Give the law a chance. You should not expect miracles to happen overnight. We don't abolish laws against murder just because murders still occur. Any lowering of the rate of children being hit or abused is a step in the right direction.
  
  - edwin p August 31, 2008 7:08PM
  
  Reply to this Recommend (0) Side: No
  
  Thank You for your Comment
  
  We review all comments before they're posted. For more on our comment policy, please see our FAQ.
  - 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
    
    Reply to this Recommend (0) Side: Yes
    
    Thank You for your Comment
    
    We review all comments before they're posted. For more on our comment policy, please see our FAQ.
    - 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 p September 1, 2008 3:50PM
      
      Reply to this Recommend (0) Side: No
      
      Thank You for your Comment
      
      We review all comments before they're posted. For more on our comment policy, please see our FAQ.
      - 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
        
        Reply to this Recommend (0) Side: Yes
        
        Thank You for your Comment
        
        We review all comments before they're posted. For more on our comment policy, please see our FAQ.