by Gina Mckeen

Created on: November 04, 2011

     The issue of whether or not spanking is a productive measure in the discipline of children has long been debated among parents and professionals. Speaking from a personal perspective, the answer lies in one’s definition of the word spank. What is a spanking? In recent years professionals strongly discourage parents from spanking their children. 

     Often the term corporal punishment is used interchangeably with spanking. The ‘legal’ definition of corporal punishment stated on Duhaime.org is, “A punishment for some violation of conduct which involves the infliction of pain on, or harm to the body.” Reasonably then, one should ask, “What would inflicting pain on a child teach them?” Discipline after all is a tool to be used by parents to teach a child right from wrong. The Bible quote, “Spare the rod, spoil the child” is often misquoted. Many believe this scripture to be advocating the physical punishment of children. In reality though, it is speaking figuratively of “the rod”.  The rod spoken of is merely the use of discipline, which all agree is needed.

     Many express concerns as to the effects of spanking children. It has been said that this type of “discipline” causes lack of self esteem, fear of parents, and aggressive behavior in children who’ve been subjected to spankings. (Must a spanking hurt the child to be effective?)   One can expect to see these results in children if in fact a parent who is doing the spanking gives reason for them. For instance, if a child is spanked and the parent is angry and out of control, then of course humiliation and fear will be instilled in that child. What lesson will have been learned? When you become angry, physical aggression is ‘okay’. How can a parent teach a child not to hit or be physically aggressive with others, if this is the manner in which they are spanked? This leads to the question, “Can spanking be a useful tool in the discipline of children?” There are of course other options for parents other than the use of physical punishment. Time outs, reasoning, and loss of privileges are all positive alternatives. Realistically speaking though, some children may need more. A spanking when given out of ‘love’, with sincere hopes of redirecting a child’s misbehavior can be productive. Some may ask, “A

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