Spare the rod and spoil the child?

Spank away! Just don't go overboard with it--it doesn't need to hurt much to be effective.

I got my tail whipped on a regular bases, but I was never violent or felt like I wanted to hit others. I didn't spank my kids much when they were younger, mostly if there actions was going to cause harm to themselves. I tried my best to make the punishment fit the crime. If I did spank them, I would make them wait first. I would tell them, you are getting a spanking for what you have done, go sit in your room and think about what you have done. I will be in there in a little bit. They would cry more waiting on it, then when I did it. I would talk to them after they calm down and they would say they wish they had never done it. I rarely had to spank for the same reason more than once.

Thanks mom and dad for spanking me when I needed it. I wouldn't be the hard-working/driven/independent/intellectual person I strive to be today without the discipline you gave to me when needed. Spanking, not out of anger/frustration, but rather spanking out of love/commitment/encouragement/betterment. Yes, there is a difference. Spanking was harder on my parents then on me receiving it, a life lesson always was learned with it.

I had my fair share growing up & my siblings share too... ( I was an only child) I dont run around hitting people.
I believe in it Occasionally, but with my child its progressive & depends on the crime committed..
sometimes he gets time out, sometimes its no toys, no fun stuff, sometimes its go walk laps in the yard, or jog laps, sometimes its a swat on the butt.
I think as long as you are fair & not cruel & explain why they are being punished it sets boundaries & teaches respect.
YOU CANT WAIT TILL YOUR CHILD IS A TEENAGER & OUT OF CONTROL
Small corrections when they are small & learn boundaries is better than the alternative

Just my opinion, everyones got one & you know how that saying goes

Do you believe in spanking children, or do you think it teaches them that it’s ok to hit people and in turn makes them violent?

Within reason I do. If they spill milk or somethign stupid then no. When I think about people that are so anti-spanking and let's "talk" and negotiate about everything I look back at history and how things have changed so much. In general, kids seem to be pretty out of control and they have very little respect for anybody or anything. When I was a kid I spoke to my friends parents and other adults as Mr. so-and-so, Ms/Mrs. so-and-so. I would never dream cus at another adult or disrepsect them because I knew my dad would kick my butt. Plus, it seems that kids have a very big sense of entitlement anymore. They expect everything be given to them, expensive clothes, phones, cars, etc. I didn't want for anything as a kid but I damn sure appreciated everything I got because I earned it in one way or another. Additionally to the total lack of respect you have kids bringing weapons to school and hurting each other, killing each other, kids doing things that get them charged as adults. Sure we had gangs and stuff growing up but I kind of see that as a different issue than your regular suburban upper-middle class teenager coming in a popping other kids at random. It's just so different and I'm glad my step-son is almost out of high school; I feel for anybody that has younger kids.

There's a time to talk and negotiate and then there's a time where kids need to know who's boss and what they're going to do, how they're going to do it, and when they're going to do it and what are the consequences of not doing it. Most things should be earned in some manner be it grades, chores at home, attitude / respect, etc. We did family counseling with my other step-son and both counselors said basically we have to give kids love, basic food, basic clothing, and an education, past that everything is a bonus and should be earned.

i was spanked as a child, only twice but it taught me not to do things again and it wasn't a hard one just a tap on the back of the hand or bum. I think it all depends of the force and reasons.

i dont think it has an affect on how violent you are in the future because i am not a violent person at all.

I was spanked as a child by my mother and I'm a very calm and mild mannered adult. However my daughter (she's 4) is very aggressive and likes to throw things when she gets really mad. I don't make it a standard practice to spank but I do it when its necessary. I've done the whole taking toys away. I've even locked her playroom, sometimes these things are more effective than spanking and sometimes nothing works better than a spanking itself. So I say if its needed go for it but I don't define a spank to the bottom as abuse.

Different children need different punishments. A spanking for me was no big deal, but OMG to send me to my room was the end of the word. My sister was the exact opposite! I think it is ok as long as it is ONE form of punishment, not a sole source of punishment. Besides, there is a difference between a spanking and a beating. One is for the child's benefit, the other is for the parent's frustration.

this is sooo true as well, some children you can scold & send them to sobbing tears, others just roll their eyes at you & yeah whatever...

I was spanked and whacked with the occasional spoon, Im ok with that.
I was also made to eat a lot of soap in my fine mouthy years, that is the one thing I will NEVER EVER do to my kids.

Yes. Not violent spanking but a tap on the butt when behavior is out of control. I was spanked and I am a very peaceful/pacifist person.

Agree normally all i have to do is raise my voice! or time out chair...but sometimes you have to spank the hand or tush!