To Spank or Not to Spank Your Child

What is the world coming to? Politicians pushing for laws to be passed to ban corporal punishment of children, making a decent parent a criminal one smack at a time. That's the problem with this world. Everybody sticking their noses into everybody else's business. I'm sick and tired of society raising our children because parents are afraid of being parents now days. They choose not to paddle their kids behinds because they're afraid of them. They're afraid that their kids are going to call the police on them, and then getting arrested for child abuse or something. First of all, if you choose not to spank your child, I don't think less of you. That's your choice. If I choose to do so, that's MY choice, so keep your nosy rear-end out of it. I have gotten into many heated discussions over the issue of spanking lately. One lady that I talked to said that the thought of a "former Marine" striking a child makes her want to gag. Well boo hoo! Deal with it. Surprisingly, or not, she and a few others that I have talked to were spanked from time to time while growing up. More so that they claim to be beaten. Is it me, or does it seem that the ones who are whining over opposition of corporal punishment where abused children in one way or another?

People seem to have a hard time distinguishing the differences of abuse, and spanking. Abuse means to mistreat, to cause injury or damage. Spanking means to strike on the buttocks with an open hand. They are not the same thing. The intent on spanking is to get the attention of a child who is not or will not behave when all else fails. I'm tired of people calling the police every time they see a kid getting physically punished. A parent by law in Wisconsin for example, is allowed to utilize corporal punishment. However, one is not to permanently injure, or disfigure, or break bone. That is by definition, abuse. If someone wants to split a kids lip open, unfortunately, that's ok. By law. I think that is excessive, and in my opinion, corporal punishment should only apply to the rear-end and an open hand or a paddling board. Believe me, I'd be the first to defend ANY kid that was getting kicked or punched. There's no reason for that. However, if a kid was getting paddled, he/she probably had it coming. Stay out of it!

When I was growing up, I got paddled a lot when I got out of line. I never hated my parents for it, and I don't regret it. I even thank them for it. Some say that all that does is foster aggression later on in life. There's no hard evidence that it does. There's no hard evidence that it does not either. The truth is, no one can ever say for sure whether or not there is any truth to that either way. My sisters and I all turned out fine. All my friends that I know that have been spanked as a child have also turned out fine. As a matter of fact, MOST of the incidences I was spanked for, I earned it. I even got beat up a few times in school, been picked on, and bullied, but I never shot up any schools.

People argue that spanking isn't necessary ever. Well, I agree that it isn't always the answer. It's just an option. Some people want to be able to let their kids learn to think for themselves making their own decisions. That's great. Parents who spank also allow their children to think for themselves. Only they use spanking at times to correct bad decisions or actions. Spanking hurts a child they argue. Well, duh! So now they'll remember their spanking next time they're about to make another bad choice. At least they'll know that it is a possibility.

I asked one lady what she suggested in dealing with a child having a tantrum. One that will absolutely not behave. She skirted the question, but rather explained that the reason for tantrums is that a child needs something. That they're begging for attention. Oh they need something alright. An attitude adjustment. Attention? Yeah. How about on the rear-end? Granted, the punishment should be appropriate with the age of the child. So what do you do with a child that likes to swing at you the parent? Are you going to sit down with a 5 or 6 year old and discuss with them why it's not polite to swing at you? Think they're going to listen when they're having a tantrum? I think not. Are you going to correct their behavior with a hug instead of a spanking?

Kids need to learn at an early age that you the parent are the boss, and that they need to do what they're told when they're told to do it. It teaches responsibility, accountability, and to respect authority. Children need a strong guide or role-model while growing up. When a child is showing that they can behave and make good decisions, then you gradually cut them more slack.

As far as I'm concerned, there are no child experts. Spanking is not always the answer. Spanking does not always work, especially if the child has some mental issues. It's just a learning tool. So, as I said before, unless you see a kid getting punched or kicked, or getting limbs ripped off, who are you to judge and make a parent into a criminal. You may think it's sad. But that's life. Go find a tree to hug and let the parent be just that. A PARENT. If you don't need to spank and other methods work for you, that's great. You're doing a good job. But those that do spank are choosing too because that's what works for them. Deal with it.