to spank or not to spank?

[AUDRAA]

To spank or not to spank? That is the question we asked our readers.

Since a California legislator proposed a state bill that would make spanking a child under the age of 4 a misdemeanor, parents and experts have been debating what's the best form of discipline.
While most parenting experts come out against physical punishment, many parents take a different view. In an MSNBC.com poll, nearly 90 percent of our readers said there's nothing wrong with the occasional smack on the bottom, and the messages in our mailbag overwhelmingly support spanking, usually as a last resort.
Scott from Denver, writes, "Associating pain with physical danger is very important. I reserve spanking my 2-year-old daughter for any behavior which can cause her serious negative, or even deadly, consequences."


what do you think peoples? I was one for spanking until I discovered the Love and logic parenting classes which work well for my daughter, but I wouldnt say Im against spanking.

 

[Peter Parka]

Well I was brought up being spanked if I was naughty and it worked for me. I totally agree with spanking. It was Dr Benjamin Spock's book about bringing up children without discipline which is the reason we have so many little hooligans running wild today!:mad

 

[andcuriouser]

I don't really think it's necessary. Not because I think it's cruel, but because I don't really see how it's effective. It isn't a lasting punishment, it doesn't really have any ramifications. It's a two-second punishment. It doesn't really last.

Matt's family had four kids, and none of them were spanked. They're all good kids, hardly "hooligans".

 

[alleycat]

I dont really think it does anything because I was hit as a child and an open hand hit doesnt really hurt. I usually just laughed at my parents. Yeah I was bad... big surprise.
ie the law says open handed hit that cant leave a mark is permissable.

 

[Darkstar]

In some cases, alternate forms of discipline doesnt always work. My sister's oldest is about 6. He's spoiled rotten to the point where he will ram his head into the wall if he doesnt get his way. Reasoning with him is impossible, ignoring him just makes it worse, and time outs are a waste of time. All that may have worked if consistent discipline was used in the beginning, but because no one sticks to their guns when they tell him something, he has learned that enough whining and begging will pretty much get him anything.

Believe me when i tell you, this kid needs a good ass whoopin.

 

[BreakfastSurreal]

In some cases, alternate forms of discipline doesnt always work. My sister's oldest is about 6. He's spoiled rotten to the point where he will ram his head into the wall if he doesnt get his way. Reasoning with him is impossible, ignoring him just makes it worse, and time outs are a waste of time. All that may have worked if consistent discipline was used in the beginning, but because no one sticks to their guns when they tell him something, he has learned that enough whining and begging will pretty much get him anything.

Believe me when i tell you, this kid needs a good ass whoopin.

agreed! some kids really need it. I don't think spanking is a bad thing

 

[IntruderLS1]

Spanking your kids is a right, not a privilage. I am offended at the nerve of this politician trying to reach into my home, and tell me how to raise my children.

Parents have to be responsible of course. Abuse is not okay under any circumstances.

 

[sharpies]

Spanking is just another tool in a fairly large arsenal that all parents need. The unfortunate thing is that some parents don't realize that there are alternatives.

Spanking can also come in many forms - one that my wife & I used was a firm tap on the back of the hand when Rachel was really young - it was only used after saying no first & was not very hard but there are times when a good ass whooping can be the only way to get a point across. Fortunately I only ever had to do this once & felt very bad afterwards.

Spanking is not child abuse, but some people use it that way.

Allan

 

[The_Rooks_Revenge]

I think every kid is born different.....that said If I was beat as a kid I would have ended up different than I am. Some kids sre born timid and there is no need to spank I wasnt. I was born a true wild child and I needed it. Some kids dont. This said, a blanket "no whipping" is wrong and a blanket "whipping" isnt right either. Im glad I got whooped, but some other kids didnt need it. IN MY OPINION.

 

[The_Rooks_Revenge]

Spanking is just another tool in a fairly large arsenal that all parents need. The unfortunate thing is that some parents don't realize that there are alternatives.

Spanking can also come in many forms - one that my wife & I used was a firm tap on the back of the hand when Rachel was really young - it was only used after saying no first & was not very hard but there are times when a good ass whooping can be the only way to get a point across. Fortunately I only ever had to do this once & felt very bad afterwards.

Spanking is not child abuse, but some people use it that way.

Allan

I think Mine and allan's post play off each others

 

[Dodge_Sniper]

I'm not a parent(Obviously! ), but I'm all for it. Sometimes words just don't do enough. But there are times when you can go way too far with it. Like when I was about 6 or 7 me an my half-brother were at my granpa's house, and HE was throing frogs on the roof of a garage, and my dad picked up a bamboo stick he(my half-brother) had and smacked both of us on the ass with it. Way too extreme, the cops were there the same day.

 

[Maulds]

I have spanked both of mine, and it is effective as a deterrent as long as they know the threat is real. But I hate doing it and they really have to screw up to earn it.

 

[Homer]

Bacon got 1 wack on the butt at 5 and 1 backhand at around 15 both of witch were not hard enough to really hurt him but did get his attention, but no i don't think hitting a child is the right way to go.