Rebuttal of the Pro-Spanking Position

November 26, 2002

Parents use corporal punishment in order to stop a child's unacceptable behavior temporarily, but other ways are better. Spanking can cause the behavior to be repeated since the spanking is remembered, not the bad behavior.

Spanking often does not stop bad behavior since it results in anger and hate that lead to more yelling, violence, or sulking.

Spanking of young children is not really good parenting since it makes children hate the parent and causes feel guilt, anger, power, and dominance. Expressing such anger is not a good example for children.

Spanking does not teach children about the real world, so much as it makes a bad world. The real world of a family should be love and affection.

Traditions and religious beliefs are typically not the best psychology nor the best tools, just as witchcraft and superstition are not. 

Religious beliefs have been interpreted much differently by different scholars. Some religious beliefs are only about tribal traditions. Others are metaphors or illustrations, not rules or moral laws. Stating a religious basis for an act is sometimes too authoritarian for today's society.

Traditions have been used for many years, but children still misbehave. It is a goof idea to try new techniques base on research and child psychology.

Spanking can be sought by neglected children who need attention. The children are using inappropriate behavior to gain attention, but they need counseling and guidance from parents.

Spanking basically is not appropriate since it can escalate and since other techniques are available and work much better. The other techniques also foster a good home and future better behavior. The techniques are also better for the parents themselves. Children can learn moral principles from the other techniques and not the opposite lesson.