Premium Essay

Should Children Be Allowed To Spank Children

Submitted By
Words 1870
Pages 8
In “Spanking and Discipline” by the Public Legal Education and Information Service of New Brunswick, the organization gives information on spanking and whether it is appropriate. It also addresses if spanking a child is against the law and if not, what is the acceptable form of spanking. This works in favor of my position since it gives an understanding of what spanking is and how it can be used legally. As stated in the article, spanking is a form of discipline that corresponds to corporal punishment.
According to the article Spanking and Discipline, parents as well as experts have different opinions on whether spanking a child that is misbehaving an acceptable way to control them. It also states that as long as it is considered reasonable, it is not against the law. Now what is considered reasonable ? Well according to Public Legal Education and Information Service, reasonable force means that the pain is short lived and not harmful. With that being said the parent should be mindful of how many spanks the child receives and should …show more content…
It involved an American family that drove into Canada to celebrate a family member’s birthday. They had stopped to eat dinner at a restaurant with their two children aged two and five. It was said that the children had misbehaved and when the father took them outside, the daughter had slammed the car door on her brother according to Renteln knowledge. The father “put the daughter in the back of the car, pull down her underwear and spank her about eight times” according to a bystander (Renteln 2010). The bystander immediately called the police because they felt worried. The father was arrested and put into jail until he could make bail. Apparently the father was confused as to why he was arrested which was very similar in the other cases as well. I believe this has to do with the fact that not everyone is aware of what is legally and socially accepted as

Similar Documents

Free Essay

Forms of Discipline: What Is Best for the Child?

...Forms of Discipline: What is best for the child? Children are like flowers, if well taken care of they will bloom. If ignored or tortured, they will wither and die. Child discipline is one of the most important elements of successful parenting. Today, many people have this notion that physical abuse is in no way a solution to helping children discern between right and wrong. Since generations children have been taught the art of discipline through physical punishment. Often this approach to disciplining has resulted in two outcomes, one is where the child becomes more tolerant and is willing to adhere to what he/she has been told, or the other which more often results in children developing a sense of anguish and desire to revolt. Physical punishment often destroys the psychological mindset of a child and can scar his/her childhood, resulting in them to grow up to be particularly irritable and frustrated individuals. Over the decades we have seen that fewer and fewer parents are resorting to this sort of method of violence to discipline their children. However contradictory to all that has been stated, I believe that sometimes parents are caught in a situation when children cross all boundaries of discipline and spanking is the only effective solution. Therefore, it is imperative to do so. Nonetheless, before spanking is even taken into consideration; all the other non-violent forms of discipline should be used. If none work then finally the act of spanking can be justifiable...

Words: 2649 - Pages: 11

Free Essay

Spanking: Discipline or Abuse?

...Spanking: Discipline or Abuse? Spanking a child, in contemporary times, is often viewed in a negative light. Many people consider it child abuse and unnecessary. In some situations with some children however, it can be an effective form of discipline. For some problematic children, it may be the only effective option. “The problems some kids who are spanked have in later life might have to do more with their personalities--the behaviors that got them spanked in the first place--than with the punishment (Paul). Parents should be able to discipline their children as they see fit as long as they are not abusing them. Parents are allowed to spank their children in the state of Missouri. Missouri State Law provides the following as to what is abuse: “ (1) "Abuse", any physical injury, sexual abuse, or emotional abuse inflicted on a child other than by accidental means…, except that discipline including spanking, administered in a reasonable manner, shall not be construed to be abuse” (Mo. Gen. Assembly RSMO 210.110). RSMO 160 Section 10, pertaining to corporeal punishment in schools, concurs stating: “Spanking, when administered by certificated personnel … in a reasonable manner..., is not abuse within the meaning of chapter 210” (Mo. Gen. Assembly). These statutes are vague however, in defining how to spank your child in a reasonable manner. In a recent interview, Greene County Prosecutor Dan Patterson shed some light on the matter. “His office looks for certain signs showing that a report...

Words: 1827 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Right To Spank Kids

...Parents Should Have the Right to Spank Their Kids It is unfortunate how western citizens seems to view parents who spank their children like they are abusive monsters that should be put to prison. Due to this, many parents seem to be more cautious when disciplining their children, even in public because of the backlash and arrest involved with this action. Parents who oppose the idea of spanking seem to assume that they have to be gentle and polite with their child to show that they love them dearly, even for their bad behavior over showing who the adult in the household is. Spanking should be done in a fair amount of force with injuring the child in a serious manner. This will not ruin their self-esteem, and it will not cause mental illness...

Words: 2138 - Pages: 9

Free Essay

Spanking

...Should Corporal Punishment be Banned in Homes? The spanking of a child, also known as corporal punishment, by their parent(s) is one of the most common forms of disciplinary action used to date. Although many people have different ideas of what spanking really is, the term universally means “striking the child on the buttocks or extremities with an open hand without inflicting physical injury with the intent to modify behavior.” (Bai) Some parents and researchers would say that spanking one’s child is a form of child abuse because it is practiced with the intent of causing physical pain to the child. However, the use of corporal punishment is necessary because a child who is not disciplined will not learn the difference between right and wrong and should not be against the law for parents to use in their home. When I was five, I got a “spanking” from my father for biting a family member. During and after the spanking I cried and was very upset with my father for what he had done. I thought it was unfair and “mean”. But like my parents, a recent survey estimated that ninety-four percent of parents with children age’s four to five spank their children occasionally. (Larzelere) While some call it discipline, others believe it is a form of violence. Research shows that corporal punishment leads to more serious problems than just getting your feelings hurt. In many cases when a child is spanked, it can leave a lasting impact and cause poorer relationships between a child and the...

Words: 1172 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Argumentative Essay On Spanking On Children

...Disciplinary Choice The way that parents choose to discipline their children is an ongoing debate of whether or not children should be exposed to physical punishment like spanking. Notably, the reasons behind all of the different viewpoints are the different cultural experiences that people have. Cultural backgrounds, disciplinary actions, and long-term effects of spanking on children are pieces of evidence that support the notion that spanking should be a viable option for child rearing. One of the reasons why spanking is an option for child rearing is that cultural backgrounds and environments have a large impact on family dynamics. While spanking may be a characteristic of one culture, another culture could have a different perception...

Words: 1030 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Human Development

...out for information on whether or not it is appropriate to spank their children when they misbehave. This paper will provide a research-based review of the current literature relating to this phenomenon. Information will be provided on how spanking is typically defined by researchers, how frequently parents spank their children, and the effects—positive and negative—that spanking has on children’s development between the ages of six and ten. Based upon this review a position will be taken that spanking is never an appropriate disciplinary strategy under any circumstances. First spanking will be defined followed by frequency of spanking, negative and positive effects of spanking and spanking in other cultures. How Spanking is Defined A critical factor that underlines this issue is the definition of spanking. The varied definitions of spanking can dictate the conclusions investigators and reviewers reach. A commonly adopted definition by the American Medical Association specifies spanking as hitting a child with an open hand on the buttocks or extremities with the intent to discipline without leaving a bruise or causing physical harm (Kazdin & Benjet, 2003). This definition helps separate occasional spanking from more severe corporal punishment. Just as there is variety in the definition of spanking, there is also variation in how frequently parents spank their children. How Frequently Parents Spank Their Children A 1994 survey at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in...

Words: 1772 - Pages: 8

Free Essay

Corporal Punishment to Discipline Children

...Corporal Punishment to Discipline Children? Drew Sheldon PSY101: Introduction to Psychology Instructor: Carmilla Solomon September 7, 2015 Corporal Punishment to Discipline Children? Is corporal punishment needed to discipline children? This is a very good question and one that many parents may not even think about because many parents will end up parenting the way their families have parented. But there are more and more parents asking the question, “Is there a better way to discipline my child other than physically hurting my child”. There have been many people who claim that corporal punishment is even good for children. “Corporal punishment, when used lovingly and properly, is beneficial to a child because it is in harmony with nature itself.” (Dobson, 2015) On the other side there are many people who claim that corporal punishment is not the best choice. Corporal punishment may become abuse, it can make a child more aggressive and violent, and “spanking may seem to ‘work’ at first, it loses its impact after a while.” (The American Academy of Pediatrics, 2015) According to American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry there are many different approaches to help change a child’s behavior, like positive reinforcement, time-outs, loss of privileges, and corporal punishment or otherwise known as physical punishment. Defining the words discipline, punishment, and corporal punishment is a good start for parents and then looking to see what ways of correcting...

Words: 2752 - Pages: 12

Free Essay

Corporal Punishment

...Research Paper Is corporal punishment needed to discipline children? PSY 101 Introductions to Psychology Lenai Carraway December 17, 2012 Corporal punishment seems to be the most popular way in which people had chosen to punish their children in the past. Many parents were raised in homes that used spanking as the main form of discipline and can readily recount each time he, or she received a spanking for an offense, and even remember what kind of instrument was used to inflict the punishment. Today corporal punishment is a controversial subject, which leaves one wondering if corporal punishment is needed to discipline children. It is my belief that corporal punishment is not necessarily the best possible way to discipline children in this ever changing society we live in. Throughout this research paper, I will discuss some side effects that can occur in children from corporal punishment when administered either at home or school and some theories behind it. “Corporal punishment is defined as the use of physical force causing pain, but not wounds as a means of discipline.” (Educate, don’t punish, 1999) Now, it has becomes difficult to draw the line between abuse and corporal punishment. Corporal punishment can range from a simple spanking to a tapping of the hand. While some parents do go to the extreme in punishing their children, I do not believe it is the majority of parents who abuse their children. In my mind, a swat on the butt or a tap on the hands...

Words: 3463 - Pages: 14

Premium Essay

Corporal Punishment

...discipline our children, as heartbreaking as it can be at times we have to do it in order to show them right from wrong. This being said, all parents raise their children different and have a different definition of what the appropriate punishment is for their child. Over the past couple of years, a huge controversy had been made over parents using corporal punishment such as spanking to discipline their child. Corporal punishment is the use of physical force causing pain, but not wounds, as a means of discipline.” Spanking, rapping on the head and slapping are forms of corporal punishment which we do not classify as abuse. There are two factors to be taken into consideration when distinguishing between corporal punishment and physical abuse: intensity: the extent to which injuries have resulted from the use of violence, intention: the extent to which the intention is to teach/discipline. Corporal punishment is just one of the wrong ways to discipline a child. The aim is not to substitute corporal punishment with psychological abuse but to discipline without using violence (UNICEF, 2010). Corporal punishment is a tremendous controversial issue among Americans all across the country. Many studies have been researched to prove the behavior of children that have been disciplined with corporal punishment and how it affects the well-being of the child at the present time as well as in the future. Parents are not the only individuals that have been allowed to discipline their children with...

Words: 3884 - Pages: 16

Premium Essay

Parenting Generation

...Parenting Generation Practices Jessica Rivera Faculty: Trent Koide Argosy University May 28, 2014 Abstract Day by day our generation seems to change as years go by. Back then parents were very strict with their children. There are so many changes that have occurred and will continue to do so. For instance children had respect for their parents. Parents or guardians would takecare of children. These days Parents or guardians are doing their own thing for instance some spend time working till wee hours of the night some all they do is spend time on the internet. Some children are not eating proper do to that factor. Back then parents or guardians put their children before anything and were always watching what they needed. Children sometime feel neglected that they do whatever they want because they no longer feel loved. There are so many things generations have changed like education, money managing, chores and meals. Keywords: changes, parents, children, generations, respect Parenting Generation Practices Everything has changed and will continue to change as a new generation starts to form. For instance, the old is gone and new starts to come. Father would tell my brother and me that when his grandpa was younger he had to wake up very early to feed the animals do chores around the house then eat breakfast. He would also say that his grandpa would tell him if I was to talk back I will get hit with a whip or I would not eat for a day. Dad would say that his father...

Words: 1149 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Personal Values Development

...Personal Values Development Each member of society is exclusive in different ways. Many members of society have provided great role models for their children. My parents always told me that you should treat others as you wanted to be treated. I have built my values and ethics around this statement. This paper will cover some of the remnants of my parents. My younger years as a child, along with the career I have chosen. Then the paper will cover some academic goals. The information contained in this paper will explain why I am unique. Parents In looking back at my parents I can say that they were always honest and to the point. The family was Christian based, and my brother and I truly enjoyed our upbringing. Both of my parents were stern. My father was US Army and taught us to be on time and keep things picked up and clean. My mother raised me to be respectful and polite at all times. There were equal rights and punishments across the board when it came to decisions. My father truly believed that accountability was one of the greatest things in life. However, we were taught that each individual in society was to be considered basically good until they gave you reason to doubt the fact. Honestly my parents got separated when I turned 20 years old. Their separation was under circumstances that I was always taught was wrong. I questioned everything I was ever taught. I looked long and hard for answers to questions like was I taught correctly. Then I realized that as humans...

Words: 1414 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

To Kill A Mockingbird Chapter 1-10

...goes to visit Aunt Alexandra, who is very traditional. Scout’s cousin says mean things about Atticus and Scout beats her up. Scout’s uncle spanks her without listen to her side of the story. They go home...

Words: 1364 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Psychology Writing Assignment

...around us from children in school to working adults. This method of learning that applies to voluntary behavior occurs through rewards and punishments. Knowing that there may be a reward at the end of a task will help motivate someone to stay focused and complete the task to the best of their ability. There are two different kinds of reinforcements that play a huge role in this operant conditioning, which are positive and negative reinforcements. In both cases, the behavior increases. Punishment on the other hand is completely opposite where the outcome causes a decrease in the behavior when following a response. There are also two kinds of punishment which is punishment by application and punishment by removal. It's important to use both forms of punishment wisely so you won't cause any abuse to a child physically or emotionally. Positive Reinforcements There are multiple ways to use positive reinforcements when either correcting or strengthening a behavior. However, not all positive reinforcements are the best ones to use. There are cases when parents will reward there children with food. They might say things such as, “If you are good, I will give you a cookie.” This can be a dangerous approach when adding such a pleasurable outcome because it could lead to obesity or other health issues if it is consistent. I have found that the positive reinforcements that work best are using other rewards such as praises and loving words. While I don't have children, I have used...

Words: 1756 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

How To Reduce Gun Violence In America

...You don't ever hear about anyone older than thirty shooting up a school do you that's because these people have sense just because you get bullied or abused does not mean you shoot up a school or even shoot up anything. I think the gun rights should be restricted heavily because if we don't...

Words: 1472 - Pages: 6

Free Essay

Is Corporal Punishment Needed to Discipline Children

...Is Corporal Punishment Needed to Discipline Children? PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology February 24, 2014 Child discipline is very important, without it, society would have many problems. The questions arise when we discuss what kind of child discipline is most effective. Times have changed and how our parents and grandparents were disciplined when doing unwanted behaviors would today be a severe child abuse. Even for middle age parents of today there is a contrast in the way corporal punishment is used on the youth of today. It is quit the controversy about whether corporal punishment should be used as an acceptable form of child discipline and if it acceptable at what point is the line crossed from physical discipline to child abuse. So many countries have banned corporal punishment in all three aspects of corporal punishment. The three disciplines of corporal punishment is home, school, and judicial. In this paper we will be focusing on the home. Home is where discipline is the most effective and happens most frequently. Besides home there is school where here in the United States most schools are not allowed to use corporal punishment. Twenty-eight states ban corporal punishment of public schoolchildren, an increase of 26 states over the past 30 years; but inside the family, legalized corporal punishment of children remains entrenched and unbudging” (Susan, 2006).It is used in the judicial system but only under extreme circumstances and under strict guidelines...

Words: 3518 - Pages: 15