by Lucius Trae

Created on: April 26, 2010

When considering the issue of spanking, it's important to clarify what is meant by the word "work." It's difficult to deny that spanking can be used to stop unwanted behavior. The question of whether it "works," however, revolves around the effect it has on the child. The evidence is somewhat conflicted on this matter. Cases where children are disciplined harshly have been continuously shown to have negative consequences for the development of children.

If you consider mild spanking, there is less of a clear answer. Opponents of spanking will suggest that the effects of violence work on a continuum. So while mild spanking is significantly less harmful than abuse, it is still not an ideal option. To defend spanking, there are two ways to approach this idea. One method is to suggest that violence operates like an on/off switch, but there is no credible evidence to support this view.

Secondly, the spanking advocate may suggest that the benefits of spanking outweigh the negatives. If the spanking does not occur, the child will be worse off. It's a lesser evil, so to speak. When we consider the variety of available parenting methods, it seems difficult to support this claim. Children have done quite well under parents who don't spank - and those who do. It's a matter of what's better for the child. If there are two ways to achieve the same result, it's preferable to avoid the option that involves spanking.

The reality is that most experts believe spanking is an unnecessary and potentially harmful practice. I was spanked, and we all have our own stories. Everyone claims they "turned out fine." The claim isn't that spanking harms all children, necessarily. It simply claims that spanking can harm children, and there is no way of knowing whether your child will be susceptible to those harms. I was suicidal before I reached my teens. Did spanking contribute to this? I don't think so, but I can't know for sure.

Physical punishment is not an effective way to gain respect from your children. Spanking may work when they are younger, but it isn't a long-term strategy for parenting a child. And quite frankly, I don't know how parents can manage to spank.  I don't have children, but I love my dogs. I have accidentally hurt them, and twice I was too rough when I was angry. It wasn't excessive according to the "spanking criteria," but I felt terrible. Those are some of the guiltiest moments I've had in my life. I think it's quite immature to pretend spanking is beneficial

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