Spanking: A Controversial Issue

      Spanking has been a controversial form of punishment amongst many for some time. Spanking, also known as physical punishment, is something everyone is probably familiar with. It is a tool commonly used to eliminate negative behavior in children. In the older days children were told to go outside and get a switch off of the tree when they were being bad. In other circumstances, parents did not need the switch. When children were misbehaving they were put over their parent's knee and smacked across the bare bottom. The majority of people ,at some point in their life, have been spanked as a form of punishment in some type of way. It may seem as a normal means of punishment for children, however it has recently raised attention among some parents and others. People are now questioning if spanking is the right kind of punishment to correct our children. Personally I am a supporter of spanking. I was spanked as a child and I carry the tradition on with my children when needed. Spanking is viewed very differently among people, countries, and cultures. There are actually countries that have banned spanking as a form of punishment to protect children. Children are going to be children. They are going to be mischievous and get into trouble.

      As parents, it is our responsibility to use the appropriate form of punishment to correct the behavior. Researchers have started studies to inquire if spanking our children is doing more harm to them than good. A lot of parents are starting to wonder the same thing. Some studies have shown possible long term mental effects on children. According to psychology professor Sandra Graham-Bermann, “It's a very controversial area even though the research is extremely telling and very clear and consistent about the negative effects on children” (Graham-Bermann 2012). Some of the negative effects that spanking can have on children are still begin studied to this day. Who would have thought something that is so common and has been done for generations can now be such a controversial issue? This has caused researchers to take a closer look at physical punishment on children. It has also caused parents to take a second look at using physical punishment on their own children. The arguments that I have studied have not changed my opinion regarding spanking. I will continue to use spanking ,as needed, as one of my methods of discipline in my home

      Furthermore, many people feel that physical punishment is not the appropriate action to use to correct a child. They believe that alternative methods such as time out, positive reinforcement, and loss of privileges are better discipline tools to modify behavior. In contrast, some parents still feel that spanking can be a successful tool for punishment if utilized correctly and they still practice it today. Remember that any discipline method parents choose to use it has to be for the best interest of the child.

                                                             

(Central Argument 404)

Refereneces:

 Smith, Brendan. "The Case Against Spanking". American Psychological Association. Vol 43. No 4. April 2012.Web. 18 October 2013.