Spanking should be practiced as a disciplinary measure to
indicate to children the severity of their own misbehavior. Children
are very impressionable and it is our job as parents to teach them
respect and right from wrong. They are just like a sponge and can
soak in any information around them. For this reason, some families
use spanking only as a serious consequence brought on by a serious
misbehavior. Some children are naturally stubborn and using the
alternative methods, such as time outs, just does not work. Children
abuse time outs by constantly getting up and not taking a parent
seriously. In these type of circumstances spanking in conjunction
with this alternative method my be necessary. A spanking may also be
a form of punishment in a dangerous situation. To illustrate, if a
child was about to touch a hot stove a slap to the hand lets a child
know this was a serious misbehavior. Children have to learn that
certain behaviors are not okay and they have to make better choices.
We have to show our children that we are serious and stand behind our
choice of punishment. According to Elizabeth Gershoff a leading researcher on physical punishment, “Part of the problem is good discipline isn't
quick and easy” (Gershoff 2012). It is never easy for a parent to
spank a child but it is a way to teach them respect and
responsibility. This is a technique that takes time and the child
will eventually learn.
As parents we are here to protect our children at the same time
being able to exhibit love. This is why it is essential to have a
good relationship and communication between the parent and a child.
Children can develop negative feelings once they are spanked, just
like with any means of punishment. To help eliminate these feelings
once a spanking has been delivered the parent should do a couple of
extra steps. The parent should communicate and explain why they were
spanked. This helps a child to understand the reason for their
punishment and their consequence. To help keep a healthy relationship
between the two, a parent should verbally or physically show that the
child is loved at the end of the punishment. This helps to let the
child know that even when I am misbehaving mommy and daddy still
loves me. Building a trusting relationship can help children know that spanking or any punishment is not done out of anger but love and to show them the severity behind certain misbehavior.
(Reason 3, Word count 380)
Sources:
Slade Ph. D, Eric. “Spanking in Early Childhood and Later
Behavior Problems”. Pediatrics for Parents. 2012. Web. 30 October
2013.
Smith, Brendan. "The Case Against Spanking".
American Psychological Association. Vol 43. No 4. April 2012.Web. 18
October 2013.
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