Spanking is termed as a form of corporal punishment that often involves the act of striking another person’s; particularly a child’s, posterior or rather rump in order to physical pain, which is commonly done using an open hand as a response to undesirable. However, more severe forms of spanking can involve canning, whipping, paddling, switching as well as belting. Over the decades, increase in the number of child abuse cases has sparked up controversial debates over the appropriateness of spanking as a form of discipline among politicians, social experts, and the public particularly parents. Concerning this, there numerous research studies that support either side of the debate; hence, the debate is inconclusive. Despite this, spanking is critical for good discipline especially among young children in order to nature them to be better people, this paper, therefore, explores arguments for spanking as an effective parenting strategy.
Arguments for Spanking
Although many individuals oppose any type of physical correction, thus equating it to child abuse, there exists a giant chasm between what can be termed as mild spanking which is properly administered by parents to their children; excluding infants, out of love and an out-of-control parent venting his or her ill emotions by physically harming the child (Pingleton). Since parents are entrusted with the responsibility of shaping the behavior of their children in a positive direction, spanking; if properly understood and administered only in the cases of either defiance of authority or rather willful disobedience, is an effective method of disciplining and steering them away from risky and negative behaviors (Pingleton). This is because when children are spanked respect is established; hence, becoming respectful, moreover, fear instilled through the act which is children often need in order to maintain high discipline levels. Spanking is also essential in ensuring good discipline because other methods of punishing children such as taking away privileges and time-outs are often ineffective among young children who end up throwing tantrums (Evidence Favoring the use of Disciplinary Spanking). Moreover, spanking is necessary in keeping children safe, for example, in the event a child is spanked for touching a stove, this aids in not only asserting parental authority but also keeping the child out of possible future danger (Black).
Although, various health organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics not only oppose spanking but have also issued a call for criminalizing corporal punishment as a number of contentious studies affirm that it is associated with aggression, drug and substance abuse, depression and antisocial behavior among other disorders (LaMotte " Storrs). The proponents of spanking also argue that, despite some research studies associating spanking with negative developmental problems and disorders, there exists a great possibility that these problems are caused by a child’s behavioral or rather personality differences that warranted spankings in the first place; hence, attributing such problems to spanking is unjustifiable (LaMotte " Storrs).
Conclusively, there are numerous research studies that associate spanking with discipline, better school performance and a high unlikelihood of drug and substance abuse. As such is a study conducted by Gunnoe Marjorie of Calvin College, according to the study’s findings, children spanked; thus before attaining the age of 6 ultimately performed better in school (Black). In addition, they grew up to be more successful, as compared to those that were “spared the rod” despite constantly defying authority and exhibiting high disobedience levels. Some experts also pointed out that, decades ago most parents disciplined their children as compared to modern day as a result, today, more children are shown to be extremely aggressive when a comparison is made to decades ago.
Works Cited
Black, R. “Spanking makes kids perform better in school, helps them become more successful: study”. Daily News, (2010). http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/spanking-kids-perform-better-school-helps-successful-study-article-1.457285
“Evidence Favoring the Use of Disciplinary Spanking”. Good Parent. Org., (2017). http://goodparent.org/corporal-punishment/research-on-corporal-punishment/evidence-favoring-the-use-of-disciplinary-spanking/
LaMotte " Storrs. “Spanking can lead to relationship violence, study says”. Cable News Network, (2017). https://edition.cnn.com/2017/12/05/health/spanking-dating-violence-study/index.html
Pingleton, J. “Spanking Can Be an Appropriate Form of Child Discipline”. Time, (2014). http://time.com/3387226/spanking-can-be-an-appropriate-form-of-child-discipline/
