Poll: Do you think spanking is wrong?

[Canadamus Prime]

Do I think spanking your kid is wrong? No. It's a perfectly acceptable form of discipline and from what I've seen some kids today could reeeeeeally use a industrial strength dose of discipline.
Do I think beating your kid senseless is wrong? You bet your ass I do and there is a difference.

 

[Smooth Operator]

Nothing wrong with spanking, sometimes it takes a slap across the behind to make a point clear.
And if anyone went into a public Halo match you will see just howmany need one hell of a spanking.

As long as it doesn't turn into physical abuse, that is in no way acceptable.

 

[Wutaiflea]

A lot of people say that you should reason with your child, but how do you reason with a child that cannot speak yet or fully understand words?

When my niece was little, I saw her dicking around with a plug socket. I knew I couldn't tell her it was "hot", as it would mess with her understanding of the word, because it wasn't hot. I had no way of explaining to a toddler who still called me "Ni-ni" what the danger was of poking her drool-covered, snotty fingers into a socket.

So, in a blind panic, I yelled "electrocute-y!"

My sister's never let me live it down, but its a fine example of why a light tap on the backside is sometimes a necessary thing- for a start, it would've saved a lot of jokes at my expense

 

[Danish rage]

you spank when you are out of words, and if you are out of words you are a retard.

 

[AndyFromMonday]

If you say spanking is OK as long as it's not senseless then I can say cutting the child is OK as long as it's not senseless. Spanking leaves marks that heal fast if you know how to do it and the same can be said about cutting. If you know how to do it correctly then the wound won't take that long to heal and the child would get the message.

I suppose my stance on spanking is obvious.

 

[Thespian]

I was "spanked" when i was a little bastard. I havent gone and commited any crimes or anything, but kids these days who didnt get spanked have no respect!

Well that's a broad statement. My parents never once laid a hand on me. I've been told that I rarely cried and never threw tantrums as a child. As a result, the one thing I've actually received commendation for is my Oratory skills. Both my brother and I have been very successful in formal debating, because we know that a good argument doesn't need a loud voice or a strong hand. I know that violence doesn't solve anything in the long term. It does, however, teach your kids that their parents are either too incompetent or too lazy to communicate with words or reason instead of the short-term response.

People who say you can't reason with kids just mean that they don't know how to reason with kids. Which is stupid, because reasoning with kids, even toddlers, is really exceptionally easy, if you have a grain of patience. The kid isn't going to die from getting spanked. Of course not. They probably won't do whatever they did again. But for fuck sake, what good is a well-behaved kid who's well-behaved out of fear? Will it really make you feel good when you puff out your chest and say how well-raised your kid is when their scared of what you'll do when they disobey? Do you really think that even if you sit down and explain why daddy hit you afterwards, they are going to hear anything other than "I cause pain, pain resolves conflict."? I'm sure no sick, degenerate people are the way they are because they were spanked as a child, but there are so many better ways of dealing with issues. You would think that as a parent, one would research it a little. And if you have found an alternative, but can't spare the time to carry it out correctly, then perhaps you aren't the best person to have kids, no?

"Spanking" is a cute term, but let's not beat around the bush here. Beating your child, however "mildly" is not necessarily sick or wrong - But it's lazy and a tad idiotic.

 

[deonte9109]

I believe in spanking. I am of college age and my sister is 8. I grew up being spanked along with my brothers and she has yet to get spanked. I learned fairly quickly to listen to what Im being told and behave properly, my sister gets away with a ****ton of things. Personally, I will spank my kids, this might seem wrong but kids need to have that hint of fear that at leasts make them reconsider if they are doing something wrong consciously. Much like how many of us would have wanted to kill, steal, or jaywalk it is the fear of incarceration and possible death(depending on crime and state) that prevents some from breaking laws. However I believe in spanking not beating. Beating is how my dad grew up, not only hands and belts but extension cords, switches, heels this kind of punishment is excessive.

 

[supermariner]

as right wing as i hate this sounds
i think it's necessary to show kids what's right and wrong
if there's no consequence from a young age, they may develop the habit of acting up

plus child spanking = only is really necessary
adult spanking = sign me up

 

[Onyx Oblivion]

I spank it every nig-OH.

That spanking. That's fine too.

 

[chinangel]

I got spanked A LOT. I don't know if my parents just were quick with the paddle or if I was a problem child. at any rate, I know I have a couple of screws upstairs that are rattling, but how much of that is because of spanking and how much of that is due to nature I can't say. However, I do support spanking. It gets the message across so long as its not excessive.

 

[imnot]

No it is not wrong. Today's kids are selfish and spoiled and just overall idiotic. They were never taught the value or morals or anything and they were let away with it.

Spanking should still be allowed and in my family it IS allowed. When I have children and they misbehave I too will swat them if it is deserved.

Here here!
If they would just behave than they wouldnt get hit!

 

[Dyme]

Violence is bad, always.

 

[Eponet]

A lot of people say that you should reason with your child, but how do you reason with a child that cannot speak yet or fully understand words

That is a point. I initially thought that yes, it is definitely wrong under almost all circumstances, but I can see the reasoning behind this.

Personally, I was never spanked, but I had already learned enough to actually understand what my parents were talking about. But I can see where it could be a helpful crutch for children with mental disabilities and for parents who didn't educate their children sufficiently during their early years.

Children learn quickly, especially in the first years of their life. My dad would read to me almost every night that he wasn't working, and it wasn't the rubbish that passes for childrens? books these days, but books that while still sort of childish, contained at least decent use of language like The Hobbit, and Lord of the Rings (Though apparently I often had to ask what a lot of the words meant, and pieced together others based on context exclusively the latter when I read it myself).

As far as discipline in terms of action goes, my parents simply acted as role models. Despite being incredibly busy they still paid attention to me, and taught me ideals to strive for with positive reinforcement instead of holding fear over my head. I'm friends with people who were raised via more traditional methods, and they tend to be at odds with authority far more often than I am.

Probably overly simplified, but I've got a basic idea of how this plays out.

1: Children who were never physically abused and instead sucessfully taught through other methods (Arrogant bitches who have little respect for authority, but will self-police themselves to a high standard of behaviour. Cutting Optional.)

2: (This one is just me guessing, I've never met anyone raised like this) Children who were just left alone, and left to face the direct consequences of their actions (Self-centered but thoughtful people, possibly indecisive.)

2: Children who are physically abused as discipline (Humble, obedient, likely to do questionable things when they feel they can get away with it)

3: Children who weren't taught anything at all, and instead (Psychotic, megalomaniacal ponces who will do whatever they feel like until they actually do suffer consequences, and even possibly after.)

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

Child reaches for boiling pan of water.

Your choice : Spank so he learns not to do it when your back is turned, or third degree burns?

There's a huge difference between sadism and reinforcement for their own good.

 

[The Rockerfly]

It's a natural thing

If I do something and don't get negative feedback, how do I know something is wrong. If I touch fire, I get burned. Simple and my brain registers not to touch fire

If I do something like draw on the walls, I should receive negative feedback, otherwise how am I to know what is good and bad. You could shout at me but I can forget that quite quickly, however spanking me is painful and I will remember it, in the same way I remember not to touch fire

Simple and it worked on me

 

[Hoplon]

Weather it is good or not is about consistency, if it is only ever a punishment for doing genuinely bad things (beating up your little brother, flinging poop at teacher etc) then it can serve a useful purpose, when it is not used in a consistent manner, it become harmful.

 

[teisjm]

I wouldn't do it.
I would just find someone withthis mindset tobe the moteh rof my children, and use psychological punishment:

 

[Tallim]

It's only wrong if it costs you extra.

 

[WildManBill]

When I was young I thought it was wrong, but now that I am "young no longer" I understand why my parents hit me and more often than not I deserved it.