Topic : Spanking: Useful or Cruel?

I am 54 years old.  I was given three "strikes" with a wooden paddle in 6th grade by Mr. Lambert at C.E. King Middle school for failing a pop math test after being absent three days.  I still remember it with embarrassment and hurt.  We had to wear dresses to school back then I remember like it was yesterday him telling me to grab my ankles.  Ridicules!  It should be outlawed!  That teacher who was pro spanking should NOT be allowed!  School districts should NOT be allowed.  It is ridicules!

I have a 6, 3, and almost 2yr olds and they have all been spanked at one time or another.  Since this meesage board opened I had to ask my 6 and 3 year old if they were afriad of me(we have an open relationship), they know they can talk to me, and they both said no, actually my 3 yr old even laughed when I asked her.  I know my baby(he's the youngest, almost 2) is not afraid of me.  He will be the hardest, when you just try to look at him or sometimes I will clap to get his attention, he will look at me and do it back.  Definitly NOT afraid of his mother or his dad for that matter.

 

Read the Bible, you will learn what sinful things really are. 

This can be true even if spanking isn't happening.  But it sounds like to me you are describinb hitting/abuse which is different than just spanking.  An appropriate spanking can be done in love and with respect.  My wife and I communicate with each other in regards to all forms a discipline.  Sometimes spanking isn't needed, sometimes it is.  Sometimes a time out will work, and that is what I use.  I am glad that you stand up for what you believe in, however it is dangerous to make sweeping generalizations.  I could say that if one doesn't spank then one is being lazy about discipline.  I would be wrong in saying that.  I believe that there is a time and a place for spanking, but there's also a time and a place for other forms a discipline.  "Beating" is not spanking.  Spanking should be on the butt, with an open hand (I'm not in favor of a belt or other object), and no more than 2 swats.  If 1-2 swats isn't correcting the situation, then spanking isn't affective.  A responsible parent will find the "button" that works with thier child.

I agree that an educational institution shouldn't spank, however I disagree with the title of the entry.  Spanking isn't sinful.

I am a veteran teacher with nearly 30 years of experience.  I have never paddled or struck a child at school.  Early in my career, when I was a special ed teacher, I went into the office and the principal asked me to witness as he paddled a child.  Seeing no way out of it, I reluctantly agreed.  This was a first grader and my only thought as I stood there, horrified, was that this child might one day be diagnosed with a learning disability and be assigned to our resource program, and all he would remember was that I stood by and let the principal paddle him.  Afterwards, I told the principal that I was not comfortable being a witness and to please never ask that of me again.  Surprisingly, he understood my request.

 

I have since managed classrooms of 3rd and 5th grade students in many different schools (25-30 students each year) and have never had to resort to paddling.  Actually, our district banned paddling over 10 years ago and I haven't missed it at all.  Teachers take classes in classroom management but it takes time to practice those techniques on children.  The best tool at a teacher's disposal is to build a relationship of trust and respect with each child and that child's parent(s).  Granted, in today's world, this is sometimes easier said than done, but we must try.  The young teacher on the show needs a mentor teacher who can help her.  I don't know how anyone can strike a child and then be able to teach that child.  We do need more support from parents but paddling their children is not a way togain that support.

Sorry to here that your dad was abusive, but that does not mean that spankings are.  I was spanking in a loving Go fearing way and have NO phych problems.  What I am even more sorry about is the fact that yo do not believe in God!  I guess God has just been such a BIG factor in my live, even when I was "doin' my own thing".  He wqas always there looking after me, seeing that I was ok, and everything that I have gone through in my life, God has used it for the good!  That's just really to bad.

A spanking, done appropriately, doesn't have to be "violent" or even breed violence.  I had my share of spankings, but I wasn't a violent person.  There are children who don't get spanked and are violent.  Spanking doen't have to be abusive either.  There can be a procedure to spanking...boundries if you will.  If followed, it can yield positive results.  As for the whole hitting an adult or threatening....this statement isn't applicable.  When adults fight the intent is to usually do harm and inflict bodily damage.  When a parent appropriatly spanks, it is done for correction and in love.  This can be accomplished.  I spank my 3 yr old when needed.  There are times that after the maximum 2 swats are given and the behavior doesn't change...I know it's not working.  Likewise when I do the whole time out procedure and that doesn't work, maybe a spanking will.  It's a balancing game the requires learning the rules for each situation.

Though you have a valid point, in most cases, this is just a matter of symantics.