I’m shopping in the supermarket and a woman isn’t watching where she’s going, she runs into the back of my leg, hurting me and doesn’t say she’s sorry. I’m upset that she was unaware I was right in front of her and she didn’t apologize, so I slap her.
I am in a parking lot just about to pull into a parking space. Another woman quickly darts in front of me and zips into my parking space. I know she’s seen me, but she’s indifferent to the fact that she rudely cut in front of me. I find another parking space and catch up to the parking space thief. I walk up to her and smack her.
These two examples are a bit unbelievable. I would never spank or slap another adult under any circumstance. The other adult could call the police and have me arrested or perhaps hit me back causing injury. So why is it okay for parents to spank their children? I’ve witnessed parents slap their children for slapping a sibling. What does that teach a child? Slapping is wrong so I’m going to slap you? Why is it many adults think that children are personal property, miniature people who don’t deserve the same respect as any adult? To get respect you must give respect. Too many adults are oblivious to that.
The concept of spanking and corporal punishment in the home and elsewhere is highly supported by Conservative Christians quick to refer to the bible as the ultimate authority in terms of child rearing and punishment. ”Spare the rod and spoil the child” is often a favorite phrase Conservative Christians quote when justifying corporal punishment.
Spanking teaches a child to be more aggressive and violent. Studies have shown that children who are spanked often are more likely to have drug and alcohol problems later in life. Spanking often leads to a higher rate of family violence and child abuse. Why wouldn’t it stand to reason that a child who is taught that it is okay to hit when someone exhibits unpleasant behavior imitate the same way of thinking?
Spanking is an “in the moment” solution to an immediate issue. Parents often need a “time out” just as children often do. It is never a good idea for a parent to spank when feeling out of control. There are more effective disciplinary measures to take when correcting poor behavior. Time out and reasoning is often underrated and can be much better alternatives to spanking.
It is still perfectly legal to spank your children so long as no marks or bruises are left on a child. That’s ridiculous. It’s shameful, degrading and incredibly embarrassing for a child to be spanked, particularly in public. This leaves no visible marks, but psychological marks can last a lifetime.
***This post (and all others, including those not published here) can be read on my new blogging site, http://www.mylovesleftovers.com. Thanks for checking it out!
**Just a little footnote: Dr. Phil recently aired an episode on spanking after my blog was published and I thought I’d share what he had to say on the subject. Commentator “Lacywing”, you might want to take notes:
