Comments on: To Spank or not to Spank http://cedarvillesoc.wordpress.com/2007/04/02/to-spank-or-not-to-spank/ Just another WordPress.com weblog Sun, 29 Apr 2007 16:34:52 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Caleb Barton http://cedarvillesoc.wordpress.com/2007/04/02/to-spank-or-not-to-spank/#comment-211 Caleb Barton Wed, 11 Apr 2007 14:16:04 +0000 http://cedarvillesoc.wordpress.com/2007/04/02/to-spank-or-not-to-spank/#comment-211 There is a right way and a wrong way to spank. If you spank a child out of anger or frustration that is the same thing as just socking them in the stomach because they do not understand why they are being punished. If you go to a child and lovingly explain to them what they did wrong, why it is wrong, and that there are consequences for what they did I feel that this can be an affective means of raising a child. There are also many other ways of punishing children that can have the same affect. As a parent I hope to instill in my children the ability to know what is wrong and write without having to spank them, but if I deem that it is necessary I am not against using that form of punishment as long as I approach it in the right manner. There is a right way and a wrong way to spank. If you spank a child out of anger or frustration that is the same thing as just socking them in the stomach because they do not understand why they are being punished. If you go to a child and lovingly explain to them what they did wrong, why it is wrong, and that there are consequences for what they did I feel that this can be an affective means of raising a child. There are also many other ways of punishing children that can have the same affect. As a parent I hope to instill in my children the ability to know what is wrong and write without having to spank them, but if I deem that it is necessary I am not against using that form of punishment as long as I approach it in the right manner.

]]> By: Justine Ross http://cedarvillesoc.wordpress.com/2007/04/02/to-spank-or-not-to-spank/#comment-210 Justine Ross Wed, 11 Apr 2007 03:41:13 +0000 http://cedarvillesoc.wordpress.com/2007/04/02/to-spank-or-not-to-spank/#comment-210 Personally, I think that it totally depends on the child. One child may handle it fine and it may be just what the kid needs to learn that what they ddi was wrong but other kids may be totally upset and horrified by it. For my brother, it was a joke, for me, it worked but for my sister it was traumatizing. I don't think it is wrong and i definitely, from personal experience don't think that it is not effective but it definitely depends on the kid. Personally, I think that it totally depends on the child. One child may handle it fine and it may be just what the kid needs to learn that what they ddi was wrong but other kids may be totally upset and horrified by it. For my brother, it was a joke, for me, it worked but for my sister it was traumatizing. I don’t think it is wrong and i definitely, from personal experience don’t think that it is not effective but it definitely depends on the kid.

]]> By: Stacie Peden http://cedarvillesoc.wordpress.com/2007/04/02/to-spank-or-not-to-spank/#comment-209 Stacie Peden Wed, 11 Apr 2007 00:10:22 +0000 http://cedarvillesoc.wordpress.com/2007/04/02/to-spank-or-not-to-spank/#comment-209 I am not against spanking, I was spanked as a child and I think that it was probably a good thing. I think today to many people are scare to spank their children because they don't want to be looked at as abusing their children. I think there is a correct way to go about spanking. I think that people now days don't spank their children enough. Today children all seem to lack discipline. Spanking is good while the child is young, and you should make sure you tell the child why he or she is in trouble as well. When you get older spanking does not work so that is when you start using other forms of discipline like grounding you child. Discipline is important and I think all parents need some form of it. I am not against spanking, I was spanked as a child and I think that it was probably a good thing. I think today to many people are scare to spank their children because they don’t want to be looked at as abusing their children. I think there is a correct way to go about spanking. I think that people now days don’t spank their children enough. Today children all seem to lack discipline. Spanking is good while the child is young, and you should make sure you tell the child why he or she is in trouble as well. When you get older spanking does not work so that is when you start using other forms of discipline like grounding you child. Discipline is important and I think all parents need some form of it.

]]> By: Ryan Hyde http://cedarvillesoc.wordpress.com/2007/04/02/to-spank-or-not-to-spank/#comment-208 Ryan Hyde Tue, 10 Apr 2007 13:01:58 +0000 http://cedarvillesoc.wordpress.com/2007/04/02/to-spank-or-not-to-spank/#comment-208 I am not against spanking, I was spanked as a child and think it is a good form of punishment. As a very young and very moldable child I can remember spanking helping to mold my actions. When you are young, getting spanked is like the end of the world and you wouldnt dare do anything that you knew you would get spanked for. As you get older spanking definatly loses its luster and is not an effective form of punishment. So I think that for each age you have to find a punishment that will deter your child from behaving in such a way again. You also have to talk to your child afterwards and explain to them why what they did was wrong. I am not against spanking, I was spanked as a child and think it is a good form of punishment. As a very young and very moldable child I can remember spanking helping to mold my actions. When you are young, getting spanked is like the end of the world and you wouldnt dare do anything that you knew you would get spanked for. As you get older spanking definatly loses its luster and is not an effective form of punishment. So I think that for each age you have to find a punishment that will deter your child from behaving in such a way again. You also have to talk to your child afterwards and explain to them why what they did was wrong.

]]> By: Dani-Rae Morgan http://cedarvillesoc.wordpress.com/2007/04/02/to-spank-or-not-to-spank/#comment-207 Dani-Rae Morgan Tue, 10 Apr 2007 00:55:05 +0000 http://cedarvillesoc.wordpress.com/2007/04/02/to-spank-or-not-to-spank/#comment-207 I do no disagree with spanking children but I do disagree when it comes to spanking all children. Some people believe that the verse in Proverbs means that all children need to be spanked. Some children will respond just as well to other forms of discipline than if you were to spank them. Spanking can be a touchy subject in a family. I believe there can be a fine line between spanking your child and abusing your child. If anger is involved in the discipline of your child then I believe it is abuse. I do no disagree with spanking children but I do disagree when it comes to spanking all children. Some people believe that the verse in Proverbs means that all children need to be spanked. Some
children will respond just as well to other forms of discipline than if you were to spank them.

Spanking can be a touchy subject in a family. I believe there can be a fine line between spanking your child and abusing your child. If anger is involved in the discipline of your child then I believe it is abuse.

]]> By: Sarah Hamilton http://cedarvillesoc.wordpress.com/2007/04/02/to-spank-or-not-to-spank/#comment-206 Sarah Hamilton Tue, 10 Apr 2007 00:34:47 +0000 http://cedarvillesoc.wordpress.com/2007/04/02/to-spank-or-not-to-spank/#comment-206 I believe that spanking is one method of discipline that can be effective. While I am not against it, I do not prefer it. I think that there are many other more effective methods of discipline. One of the most effective discipline methods would be punishment that relates to the behavior. For example, if a child is late for curfew, then the child should not be allowed to go out for two weeks and then the curfew should be made earlier until the child proves to be trustworthy with it. If a child spends too much time of the computer and not doing homework, the computer should be taken away for two weeks or so, and then computer time should be limited until the child shows enough responsibility with it. I think that in this way, the child is learning proper behavior rather than simply being physically punished for it. I believe that spanking is one method of discipline that can be effective. While I am not against it, I do not prefer it. I think that there are many other more effective methods of discipline. One of the most effective discipline methods would be punishment that relates to the behavior. For example, if a child is late for curfew, then the child should not be allowed to go out for two weeks and then the curfew should be made earlier until the child proves to be trustworthy with it. If a child spends too much time of the computer and not doing homework, the computer should be taken away for two weeks or so, and then computer time should be limited until the child shows enough responsibility with it. I think that in this way, the child is learning proper behavior rather than simply being physically punished for it.

]]> By: Amanda Sutton http://cedarvillesoc.wordpress.com/2007/04/02/to-spank-or-not-to-spank/#comment-204 Amanda Sutton Mon, 09 Apr 2007 04:20:23 +0000 http://cedarvillesoc.wordpress.com/2007/04/02/to-spank-or-not-to-spank/#comment-204 The adage from Proverbs, "Spare the rod, spoil the child" is a valid one, because is comes from Scripture. While people may wish to take it figuratively because of personal preference, I know of no reason why it should be taken any way except literally. I agree that spanking can be harmful, if performed in a spirit of anger, and out of a desire to hurt and even damage a child. However, proper spanking sends a brief painful reminder (that is effective for a child facing temptation later!) that causes no physical damage whatsoever. Finally, I would have to disagree with Daniel's statement that to discipline a child with spanking one would need to raise the number of spanks each time in order to produce the desired effect of obedience. This was not the case in my life, or the lives of many other people who have been spanked, I am sure. The reason for this is that it is indeed punishment. Something that is not effective is yelling. A child learns that his parent is not going to punish him until a certain point has been reached in the yelling process, so he begins to respond at the latest possible point. However, in true punishment (such a spanking) there is a definite consequence, and a child does not need to recieve longer periods of punishment to know that the same disobedience (if performed later) will result in the same unpleasant consequence. The adage from Proverbs, “Spare the rod, spoil the child” is a valid one, because is comes from Scripture. While people may wish to take it figuratively because of personal preference, I know of no reason why it should be taken any way except literally.
I agree that spanking can be harmful, if performed in a spirit of anger, and out of a desire to hurt and even damage a child. However, proper spanking sends a brief painful reminder (that is effective for a child facing temptation later!) that causes no physical damage whatsoever.
Finally, I would have to disagree with Daniel’s statement that to discipline a child with spanking one would need to raise the number of spanks each time in order to produce the desired effect of obedience. This was not the case in my life, or the lives of many other people who have been spanked, I am sure.
The reason for this is that it is indeed punishment. Something that is not effective is yelling. A child learns that his parent is not going to punish him until a certain point has been reached in the yelling process, so he begins to respond at the latest possible point. However, in true punishment (such a spanking) there is a definite consequence, and a child does not need to recieve longer periods of punishment to know that the same disobedience (if performed later) will result in the same unpleasant consequence.

]]> By: Ashley Gleichauf http://cedarvillesoc.wordpress.com/2007/04/02/to-spank-or-not-to-spank/#comment-203 Ashley Gleichauf Mon, 09 Apr 2007 03:06:16 +0000 http://cedarvillesoc.wordpress.com/2007/04/02/to-spank-or-not-to-spank/#comment-203 As many have already stated, discipline often depends on the action and what is necessary. For me, I was never spanked as a child. However, I was one of those children who punished themselves when they got yelled at - it was the worst thing you could do to me. I would basically send myself to my room when I got in trouble. Because of this, I cannot speak from experience on my feelings toward corporal punishment because I never did experience although many of my friends Christian parents whom I greatly respect did use that type of punishment and from what I hear from them, it was, at times necessary. As many have already stated, discipline often depends on the action and what is necessary. For me, I was never spanked as a child. However, I was one of those children who punished themselves when they got yelled at – it was the worst thing you could do to me. I would basically send myself to my room when I got in trouble. Because of this, I cannot speak from experience on my feelings toward corporal punishment because I never did experience although many of my friends Christian parents whom I greatly respect did use that type of punishment and from what I hear from them, it was, at times necessary.

]]> By: Amanda Beesley http://cedarvillesoc.wordpress.com/2007/04/02/to-spank-or-not-to-spank/#comment-202 Amanda Beesley Mon, 09 Apr 2007 01:04:41 +0000 http://cedarvillesoc.wordpress.com/2007/04/02/to-spank-or-not-to-spank/#comment-202 Spanking is an act of guidance and discipline. I do not believe spanking is wrong. The only time spanking is wrong is when the parent is spanking their child out of anger. I believe that spanking is necessary to bring up a child biblically. I have known a few parents who have not believed in spanking their children and their children have serious behavioral problems. Not spanking is more harmful to your child. You’re not giving them the discipline they need. When spanking is not done the biblical way then that’s where it becomes a problem. A parent is supposed to spank out of love and discipline, not out of anger. I was spanked as a child and I am very thankful that I was. It did not do any emotional damage to me, because my parents spanked me out of love not beat me out of anger. Spanking is an act of guidance and discipline. I do not believe spanking is wrong. The only time spanking is wrong is when the parent is spanking their child out of anger. I believe that spanking is necessary to bring up a child biblically. I have known a few parents who have not believed in spanking their children and their children have serious behavioral problems. Not spanking is more harmful to your child. You’re not giving them the discipline they need. When spanking is not done the biblical way then that’s where it becomes a problem. A parent is supposed to spank out of love and discipline, not out of anger. I was spanked as a child and I am very thankful that I was. It did not do any emotional damage to me, because my parents spanked me out of love not beat me out of anger.

]]> By: Christopher Travis http://cedarvillesoc.wordpress.com/2007/04/02/to-spank-or-not-to-spank/#comment-201 Christopher Travis Sun, 08 Apr 2007 03:48:19 +0000 http://cedarvillesoc.wordpress.com/2007/04/02/to-spank-or-not-to-spank/#comment-201 To answer the big question, I was spanked as a child. However, I acknowledge this form of discipline as one that is very contraversial and arguable on either side. My experience with spanking, involving my own punishment as well as just observing my parents as I have gotten older, has influenced me in such a way that I believe spanking is effective, and I plan on spanking my children when it is truly needed. On the other hand, it is something I think I will struggle with as a father: it will be hard to discipline my children in this way. This is why I believe it is so important to constantly portray love to your children, and explain the reasoning behind punishing them in this way, so that they understand that it is not something that you, as a parent desire to do, and it is only done because you love them and want them to live rightly. To answer the big question, I was spanked as a child. However, I acknowledge this form of discipline as one that is very contraversial and arguable on either side. My experience with spanking, involving my own punishment as well as just observing my parents as I have gotten older, has influenced me in such a way that I believe spanking is effective, and I plan on spanking my children when it is truly needed. On the other hand, it is something I think I will struggle with as a father: it will be hard to discipline my children in this way. This is why I believe it is so important to constantly portray love to your children, and explain the reasoning behind punishing them in this way, so that they understand that it is not something that you, as a parent desire to do, and it is only done because you love them and want them to live rightly.

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