Do you believe in spanking??

[Aidensmom]

I do think that part of the issue is the different personal definitions. I realize many on this thread really mean in it when they one short swat but others still believe in the "cut a switch" or "get the belt" routine.

I think this is true, that is why I said I believe spanking is something different from hitting and abuse. To me, a spanking is a swat with the hand on the rear end.

 

[chobie]

I think this is true, that is why I said I believe spanking is something different from hitting and abuse. To me, a spanking is a swat with the hand on the rear end.

I agree with that definition. For me it crosses the line when implements are used and/or when clothing is removed. I'm not saying that even with those things it's per se child abuse, or that children should be removed from a home for that, I just think that for me personally anything more than a swat or two is crossing the line.

 

[JoyG]

I wouldn't use a switch or a belt to spank my kids. Although I remember a belt being used on me, I can't see doing that to my kids. I use my (open) hand.

 

[cardaway]

I think this is true, that is why I said I believe spanking is something different from hitting and abuse. To me, a spanking is a swat with the hand on the rear end.

For many "tanning their bottom" is spanking. It is nice to see there are at least some people here that disagree, but in general, it's not enough. Many children are still getting more than a swat.

 

[gris gris]

I haven't read all the posts yet but absolutely not - I do not believe in spanking and thankfully neither does DH. There is no way I could ever lay a hand on my children. There is nothing anyone could say to convince me that this is an effective form of discipline. I do not want my children to be afraid of me or DH. I'll go back and read the posts - I bet I'm in the minority.

 

[vanessat]

In some countries, such as in Israel, spanking and any other form of physical punishment of children is illegal.

I have never, will never spank my children. There are other, effective, ways of educating children.

I myself have never been spanked by my parents.

 

[noodleknitter]

Yes, and in some countries they believe more in the state's right to govern how children are raised than the parents. I am quite thankful to live in a country that doesn't believe its citizens are too ignorant to raise their own kids.

 

[budbeerlady]

As of yet, dd has never been spanked. But if she needs it she will get a swat. Dh and I grew up getting spanked once or twice by our parents, it didnt mess us up one bit. Even as a adult I know better than to use any cuss words in the presence (not that I do normally) of my parents, its about respect. I remember getting spanked once when I batting a ballon around the house after being told several times to stop by my mom. (I was 7 or 8) I didnt stop and I broke an antique lamp, You know I never did that again, and I have told DD the story when she was playing with a ballon in the house and not listening very well to me.

Like so many others have pointed it out it is something that is missing from our society. I hate mouthy kids, DD got mouthy once so far in her life and she was sat on a wooden chair against the wall so fast I think I saw her head spin. She was silent for the 10 min she sat there and then apologized to me, it hasnt happened again and we wont put up with it.

 

[jimmiej]

Sorry, but the "we turned out alright" excuse doesn't cut it. There may be people who don't think you DID turn out alright. There MAY be a lot of them. For YOU to say you turned out alright is like saying, "I'm the prettiest girl in the room." Purely a matter of opinion and no proof of anything. It's just MORE of your opinion to back up your opinion. I mean that for everyone, not just you. Hey, you could be 'alright' but your opinion doesn't count if it's to back up another opinion of yours. K?

What I meant was, I didn't become an abuser as some people believe spanking promotes. It did get my attention though.

 

[backalleysally]

I'm just not sure if I do. My husband does though. Although our daughter isn't old enough to be spanked yet, he said he will when she's old enough and needs to be punished. I just don't get how spanking is different then child abuse. A parent can get arrested by beating their kids on the face, but not swatting them on the butt? What do you all think?

My kids are 12, 9 and 5 and all of them get spankings when they break house rules. If you really don't see the difference between hitting a kid's face and hitting his butt, I doubt I could make you see it.

 

[Mskanga]

There's a big difference between child abuse and discipline . There's a big problem with people who do not know the difference between those two.

 

[poohandwendy]

I am not sure I could say spanking is something "I believe in", it's not a religion or value system.

However, I did spank my children on occasion, when they were young. I think it is an effective method of discipline for some circumstances. I used many methods, spanking was only one.

 

[EeyoreFan1]

I disagree in spanking.

 

[spazzyjazzy]

Yes, when it is needed.

 

[poptoone]

All you have to do is go out in public and see how the kids these days act and you can see what the "Time out" and lets talk about you feelings is working.

 

[backalleysally]

In some countries, such as in Israel, spanking and any other form of physical punishment of children is illegal.

Maybe they ought to make things like dropping white phosphorus bombs on people illegal and leave parents alone.

 

[VSL]

All you have to do is go out in public and see how the kids these days act and you can see what the "Time out" and lets talk about you feelings is working.

I really doubt that most kids today are any worse than they were fifty years ago. Every generation talks about how 'in my day we would have never behaved like that'... even the Greeks were saying it (was it Plato?).

Parents who do the 'time out' thing aren't doing anything wrong - and it really does work for many many kids. It's the parents who don't act like parents that have unruly kids (ie, the parents who want to be best friends with their children, rather than their parents).

 

[SplshMtnLvr28]

I think if the only way you can control your kids is by hitting them, then you need Supernanny or a counsler. Just my two cents.

 

[shortbun]

Thankfully, I personally know no one who spanks their children. You guys are gonna hate me for this but here goes. I feel that parents who spank can be good parents. The really stellar parents are the ones who take time out of their busy lives to direct, redirect, find natural and logical consequences and teach their children that life can exist without violence. What I hate worse than a swat on the butt is a screaming, belittling, shaming parent. They can do even worse damage but I suspect they hit their children as well. Neither is ok imho.

 

[AKLRULZ]

Yes, I do believe in it, when used properly.

Agree.