Presentation on hot topic To Spank or Not To Spank

I never once spanked either of my two boys. However, that was probably because my wife was against it. Philosophically, I believe that spanking -- on the bottom -- is much less traumatic than other forms of punishment, that generally, intentionally or not, involve shaming or play on the emotions or psyche. A spanking is simple and direct. It gets the message across -- and I think kids need limits and direction -- and it is over right away. Then you and the child can move on.
I agree that too often people spank when they are angry, and/or get carried away, and obviously I do not support that. But, if it were me in the kids shoes, I would rather get a quick spanking and get it over with, than get berated with hurtful words, or to have something I wanted taken away.

I'm disappointed, I was expecting something entirely different.

:drinker: Me too.

My Son gets crib time or time in his playpen when he gets out of hand.
The other day I caught him trying to sit on our dachshund, again!

I do not feel that mild forms of corporal punishment are child abuse.

*kitten* is about to get real frucked up in this b!tch.

Personally I think spanking introduces fear and hostility. I prefer to stick to grounding, sitting in the corner for 5 minutes or losing privileges like having toys in the room, tv time and being able to eat anywhere other than the kitchen table.

I think consequences work much better than spanking, but that certainly is just me.

Oh, I see. Some people are feigning disappointment that the topic had to do with spanking as a form of derivation of sexual pleasure. They were hoping to let others see how "naughty" they are. How droll.

I do say, good sir! What a perfectly plebeian post we have found ourselves in!

Indeed...

I believe I'm living proof that spanking works. I had a very healthy respect and fear for my Father at a young age because I knew the consequences of acting out. As for my Mother, she NEVER spanked us and when I was with her I was a holy terror. My parents are divorced (since I was 4) and it was like night and day when I was at my mom's versus dad's. At dad's I knew how to behave myself and be respectful to people and play without being a terror. At my mom's I would be a complete brat and get in fights with my brother all the time.

ETA: My father didn't just haul off and whip me. It was planned and was an entire experience. First it was, "Go to your room." Then I had time to sit there and stew over what I had done and what the punishment was going to be (and usually time for me to put on about three pairs of sweatpants). Then he would come in with his paddle (yes, wooden paddle) and talk to me for a few minutes about what I did and why it was wrong and why I was being punished for it. So, what I'm saying is I believe there is a right and wrong way to spank because I have seen parents just haul off and whack their kids and the kids just laugh in their face. This isn't the way to spank a child.

But I honestly believe the key to any good punishment is consistency. If you don't consistently spank or follow through with threats then don't expect the child to behave.

How do you feel about spanking your child?

I think all children should be spanked when their behavior warrants it.

Do you feel that it's an apropriate punishment in this day and age?

Absolutely.

At what age do you feel the child should move on to other type of punishment?

At whatever age they have learned to act right. Typically, when children are spanked consistently at a young age for misbehavior, it stops being necessary around the age of 7 or 8.

Do you feel that race plays a part in spanking?

No.

Do you think the rate/importance of spanking has gone down in the present generation as compared to the older generations?

The rate has definitely gone down. The importance is the same as it always was.

Do you feel that children's behavior now days has changed as a result of parents being scared to spank their child?

Definitely. Kids know these days that the worst thing that will happen to them is that they have to sit on the timeout chair until they scream long enough that their parents decide it's best for everyone to just let them go and ignore their bad behavior.

Were you spanked as a child and do not spank your own kids and why/why not?

Yes, I was spanked as a child. Don't have children yet, but I spank my nieces and nephews, and I will spank my children when I have them.

It is important to note that many people do not properly distinguish between spanking and child abuse. Smacking a child across the face, for example, is not discipline. It is an abusive behavior, usually done in anger and out of frustration. Swatting a child on the butt, with a proper explanation of why it is being done, is discipline that will not physically cause the child any harm but will send the message that his or her behavior is disappointing and carries consequences.

Are there better ways to get that message across? In a very, very small percentage of children (those who are mentally and emotionally evolved well beyond their peers), I would say that conversation alone could communicate this. But in an overwhelming majority of children, words alone do not mean anything when it comes to discipline. There has to be action to reinforce the message, and it needs to be something that children are afraid of, not merely something they will dislike, such as taking away their phone or video game. That is not to say a child needs to be afraid of his/her parents (I would never suggest that) but, instead, they should be afraid of the consequences of screwing up. I was never afraid of my parents. I always knew that they loved me and that spanking me was very difficult for them (my dad cried every time he had to do it). What I hated about being spanked was that it made it very clear that I had disappointed my parents with my behavior. That is the lesson kids need to learn.