Parenting: Beatings Are Not an Option but Spankings Are

In today's time the focus is our kids and what makes them do what they do. So many questions have loomed around rather or not certain disciplinary measures are needed to insure a child's development.

I am from the south and the spiritual saying is "Spare the Rod, You spoil the Child!" I can agree that once you stop spanking a child to let them know they are doing wrong, you instill that it is okay for them to do bad things and get away with it. Children for years have learned through disciplinary measures what is mandated in this society. Many have said in trying to give reason for a parent not to spank their child stating; "spankings forms rejection as an adult; I beg to differ that particular reasoning. A good spanking is not going to hurt a child and make them reject their parents when they are older. The problem of rejection comes when a parent is emotionally, physically, and mentally abusing the child. Sitting your child down before or after you spank them to advise why you have done so forms a bond of respect.

When my mom spanked any of her kids she advised in detail why the butt weapon or spanking was well deserved. My siblings and I grew up to love and respect my mom even more because of that. She never instilled fear in us that would have made us want to reject her as we became adults. The only person who we rejected slightly was my father because he was controlling and verbally abusive. He would call us names and not allow us to have friends or really be kids without placing negative thought on it. This treatment was far worse than a beating from our mom with an explanation of why.

I feel all parents should continue to support the spanking of their child for good up-bringing. Beating your child is not recommended nor is placing emotional or verbal abuse upon them. There is a way to do all things and we have to recognize that as parents. When you spare the rod you spoil the child which creates a monster in their adulthood. These children will grow to think they can do what they want, when they get ready and how they get ready; while they become immune to the "talk about it" fixing of the problem. It goes in one ear and right out of the other. They will not be great listeners or communicators because of this.