Should You Spank Your Children?

United States
November 15, 2006 12:28pm CST
Back in the day, people spanked their kids and kids had respect for their elders. Kids are out of control now. I don't even like my daughter bringing friends home and her friends are the 'good' kids. I put quotes because kids today are nothing like the ones of yesterday. Do you guys think it is because we have gotten away from spankings due to talk shows and books. Should we spank our kids when they misbehave?
3 people like this
20 responses
• United States
15 Nov 06
I remember when I had this discussion in my psychology class. I think most parents don't realize that a spanking doesn't count as child abuse unless it breaks the skin and so they're afraid to lay a hand on their children. I think spanking is probably the only way to truly get kids to listen in today's world, because there is so much emphais on individuality it's almost impossible just to request respect.
• United States
15 Nov 06
Yeah, I discussed this in a child psychology class back when I was in college. Boy was there much debate about it! I agree with you totally. There is a difference between beating a child and spanking them.
1 person likes this
@jewel76 (2305)
• Canada
15 Nov 06
I don't think "abuse" should only be when the skin is torn. How about when the skin is bruised?? Some abusive parents will punch their kids, and it won't necessarily tear the skin, but will bruise it. In my book, this is pure abuse. I think kids today are too spoiled,and don't have enough discipline that's why they are the way they are. Parents should set more ground rules and stick to them, inflict punishement on them (like no friends, tv, video games for 1-2 or even 3 weeks) and stuff like that. I don't think a parent should ever raise a hand on their child, or vice versa. That's my opinion!
1 person likes this
• United States
15 Nov 06
My husband and I do take away things that our kids enjoy like TV and we make them read and write instead. Or no friends and etc. I agree that you don't have to go as far as breaking the skin for it to be abuse. The parent needs to know when to stop. There are those out there that just do not know when to stop. And they should be punished for hurting a child in such as way. Also, there are those who spank there children for every little thing. My husband and I do not do that. My kids know that the main thing that will get them a spanking is lying. So what better way to not get one. Don't lie. And I am proud to say that we have children you can trust and rely on. I believe if you spare the rod you spoil the child. I respect your opinion. Thanks for posting!! :-)
1 person likes this
@krizz420 (4385)
• Canada
15 Nov 06
I think children should be spanked. I got spanked when I was younger and I never acted like the kids do today towards their parents
1 person likes this
• United States
15 Nov 06
I agree! One woman told me I never spank my kids and my children are well behaved. Right after that her son says shut up! And she says now Sean we don't act that way. Then, he proceeds to jump on the floor kicking and screaming at the top of his lungs and having a terrible hissy fit. Why because he was ready to go and his mother was talking to me!!! Don't get me wrong, I am not saying all unspanked kids act this way.
1 person likes this
@chance00 (3331)
• United States
15 Nov 06
Yes you should spank your child.There has to be some form of disipline and it should tbe the last resort.I do not spank out of anger and I have spanked my son only 3 times and he is 5.He knows not to get mommy to that point and he does not try me anymore.
1 person likes this
@Krisss (1231)
• Australia
15 Nov 06
So your five year old knows not to get mommy to that point. I would be horrified if even my 23 year old son thought that, I cannot imagine it in a five year old. That isnt teaching discipline, its teaching fear.
1 person likes this
@donglory (677)
• Ghana
15 Nov 06
hsahahahahahaha - what will u do
yes spare the rod and spoil the child
1 person likes this
• United States
15 Nov 06
So so true! Speak the word child!! lol :-)
1 person likes this
@marthab (325)
• United States
15 Nov 06
I don't think the issue is spanking or not spanking. The issue is discipline. Discipline does not necessarily mean hitting. In fact, I don't think it ever needs to mean hitting. My children are respectful, well-mannered, and polite and they have never once been hit by someone they love. The word discipline means to teach. We teach by example, by discussing issues with our children, by helping them to calm themselves if need be. We teach by rewarding the good and applying clearly laid out consequences for the bad. We show use logical and natural consequences mostly. My question is why is it wrong to hit anyone else except for someone who is small and defenseless? That doesn't make sense to me. For those who do not feel that a respectful child can be formed without hitting, I reccomend taking a positive parenting class. It changed our family so much for the better. The class we took was called Triple P
• United States
15 Nov 06
I definitely believe in discipline. you are right discipline does not necessarily mean hitting. However, discipline is a combination of many things. Taking valuable items away,sending them to their room, no friends, and the last resort a spanking. My kids only get spanked if the do something like lie. I will not tolerate lying in my home. needless to say I have well mannered chidren who are adored in and out of school. They know our standards and in their life time have not had to render too many spankings. I respect your opiniopn. It was great feedback. Thanks for posting!
1 person likes this
@rocknroll (1535)
• India
15 Nov 06
not married still.. - ha..
i don't hv any kids...
1 person likes this
• United States
15 Nov 06
Your day will come. If you want it to :-)
1 person likes this
@Krisss (1231)
• Australia
15 Nov 06
I have never been hit, and have raised my own children to adult hood and never laid a hand on them in anger. They are both happy, healthy, educated, well adjusted young adults who have no anger issues. They are 100% good kids. Spanking is not the issue in my opinion, its teaching your kids respect. Respect them, they will respect you. I saw a woman spank a child when I was pregnant with my oldest and she was saying to the child "dont hit" can you see what confusing messages that sends to a child?
@icequeen (2840)
• Canada
15 Nov 06
Yes....I think so.....I was spanked and I spanked my son when he needed it and he is a pretty good kid and now he is 14....
1 person likes this
• China
16 Nov 06
i don't hv any kids...but I can think, if I future the child will not be obedient time, I reallywill be able to hit him, that will be wants, otherwise the child couldnot too be obedient
@bobmnu (8157)
• United States
15 Nov 06
I think spanking becomes abusive when it is the only form of discipline and the children learn that anything getas a spanking. I always used a combination of time out, scholding a spanking. My children turned out great. Spanking was reserved for something that had to be stopped righ now and the lesson had to be learned once and for ever. I have watched parents in the store try to explaine to a child who was 2 or 3 that kicking Mommy or Daddy was not very nice and they had to be nice to them. The child had no idea what they were talking about. With my grand daughter if she does something wrong and I want to get her attention I will use the finger in her face and she will stop and know that she is in trouble.
@Mamaof2 (574)
• Canada
16 Nov 06
I dont think that spanking is exceptable at all. It teaches children nothing at all it only instills fear in them. They look up to us we have to set a good example because of this. Do you really want you inocent child fearing you because they know a spanking is coming. I think disipline is the key and in order to instil respect and manners in our children we must have good open communication with them. We as parents need to let our children know what we expect from them and what is not acceptable. But communicating with our words and not with our hands...we can do this.
• United States
16 Nov 06
I believe a child should be spanked, but not beaten.
@angel1961 (759)
• United States
21 Nov 06
Grew up in a house where if you didnt listen the 1st time, next came the spanking, nothing hard mind you, no abuse. I do believe in "spanking" but not to the extent of "abuse". Kids need to look up in the dictionary and relearn what the word "RESPECT" means, maybe then it will make sense to some.
@jenn10 (68)
• United States
15 Nov 06
I do not think you should spank a child. I have never spanked mine and they listen just as well if not better than kids who get spanked. I feel that hitting them is not teaching them anything except to hit. We use the system where we take toys away and they have to earn them back.
1 person likes this
@xbrendax (2662)
• United States
16 Nov 06
I am all for spanking! That's the way we were raised and we'd never think of doing the things kids do today! We have great respect for our elders and people in authority. This time out BS makes me want to puke!!!!!!!
@sunita64 (6469)
• India
16 Nov 06
No I dont believe in spanking children. They should be handled with love and affection. What love can do spanking cannot. Spanking makes a child rebellious.
@gnt23tr (1014)
• United States
16 Nov 06
sometimes yes
@c061378 (54)
• United States
16 Nov 06
I think it depends on the childs personality. For instance I have a 5 year old and a 17 month old (see has never seen a spanking). The 5 year old is the type if you spank her which I have only done for things that other discipline methods did not work will retaliate by acting worse. I know where she gets it because I was the same way spank me and basically into hades you went it did nothing to change my behavior only made it worse. Now you have some kids it works on others not so well speaking from double experience.
@tweeti (63)
• United States
15 Nov 06
yes i think a good spanking is not bad at all, i hate these time out where parents count to three...all that does is teach the child counting.
@varunindu (121)
• India
16 Nov 06
YOU HAVE TO CHANGE YOUR OPINION, KIDS WILL REALISE SOON