I am in a child abuse intervention and prevention class right now. I have seen some pictures of children “spanked” with metal pipes, large sticks, extension cords, etc. I think the question of whether spanking is ok or not is really fuzzy. There is not just a yes or no answer. I definitely do not believe in spanking children with anything other than an open hand and definitely not in anger. I believe parents and guardians have to watch their emotions closely. Many of the instances of abuse were cases where the parent thought they never would do such things, but they were angry and their emotions got the best of them.

So to make a long story short, I cannot vote simply yes or no; it is a matter of circumstance: age of the child, force used, what is used for spanking, what the child has done, etc. I would use it only for rare occasions, but that is my opinion.

PS. It really does not make sense for parent to spank after their child has hit, bit, pinched, etc. another child.

I dont have any kids, so I’m speaking from the outside here. But, I have to say that being spanked when when I was a kid helped me to rethink my actions. It helped set me straight, and yeah it hurt but afterwards (like after I was done crying ) I’d always get a treat from my parents and a little explanation. Kids need to know that there are consequences for their actions, otherwise when they grow up they’ll most likely learn the hard way.

I believe that children should be spanked as well. In certain circumstance when it permits of course, but it is a renound way to diciplin a young one. I had the privilage of hunting with my father and we were observing some deer on the side of the road, i watched as a young fawn tried to cross the road.. the mother immediatly ran out and blocked the path smashing her head into the side of the deer. I got to thinking that even animals have a sense of diciplin. Back to humans, I think that if you spank your child you should afterwards show love and explain why you did, and always be sure to tell them that you love them. If they think they are merely being hit they begin to get a built up resentment for that parrent, which often leads to much worse parrent/child relationships causing more stress and perhaps harder spankings. It can be a brutal spiral once it gets out of controll.

In easyer terms, we need to be carefull that when we spank, it is under complete controll, that the punishment fits the crime. (As stated above, spanking should not be used to punish an act of violence) And to be sure that they know you love them.

Just my thoughts…
Siberian

what can a child possibly do that is so bad that he deserves physical action taken against him? Surely any child is capable of reasoning and understanding simply by explaining what he has done wrong. Should this child come to the conclusion in any situation that someone should be physically hit because of their actions? No. The child should come to the conclusion that wrong doing even VIOLENT wrong doing will be answered by God. I was hit and occasionaly beaten as a child, and it instilled fear of man within me. It took a strong mind, a long time, and the help of God to realise that I should FEAR NO MAN on this earth. But what of those who do not work this out, but according to how they were treated, carry out physical punishment upon those who they believe have done wrong? i will also mention that i bullied people possibly due to my beatings, and I did not see a problem with hitting my piers (looking back, almost as a sign of effection). Ration, don’t Hit. Peace

I don’t think that God will ever put me in the position whereby I will need to Hit my child. If my child dos not yet understand the dangers of traffic, i will be holding his hand when i’m walking along the street with him. Peace

I think adults ‘slip away’ into a lot more punishable deeds than any deed I can think a kid could. I will never be pushed to hit my child. This is an act of anger. From the little D. Peace.