what, if any, is the appropriate age to spank a child?

[Minnie09]

Spanking is wrong. No matter if somebody has children or not, if they say "spanking is wrong", they are absolutely right. In many civilized countries around the world, it is even prohibited by law. They will take your kids from you, if they find out. And how is that not justifiable? You physically abuse them, humiliate them and give them a totally ****ed-up example.

If they get into a physical fight with other kids, how do you spanking parents dare tell them they're wrong?

I do have a 2 yr old son, btw. And he takes me to my limits a lot. He's notan easy child, very demanding, very easily upset and hot-tempered. But he's lovely and smart, too. Should I ruin his character by spanking him? And yes, I would definitely be guilty of that if I did.

Is it legal in all US states to physically "educate" your offspring? Can't believe it. But you get in trouble if you leave your child in the car for two minutes. That's just sick.

Sorry for being so blunt. But that's just not right.

If you can't handle your kids properly, don't have them.

[Ross PK]

I couldn't agree more, minnie. These same people probably think it's wrong and 'immature' to get to teach someone a lesson who does something bad to you, yet they think it's perfectly okay for a grown adult to hit a small toddler.

 

Go figure.

[Clep]

I do not feel there is EVER a time for spanking or for using our hands with a child other than in love.

 

I care for children for a living and can not spank other people's children. I must find other ways to create a respectful orderly environment for all involved. I can do the same for my own child. I can't really expect my child not to hit others to gain their compliance if I am doing just that with my child.

 

I view negative contact in any way as frustration on the parent's part for whatever reason. It is up to the parent to deal with those frustrating feelings, not for a child to be forced to take them on from my perspective.

[confusticated]

IMO, there's never an appropriate time to smack anyone, regardless of age.

 

Little ones, no matter how young, can understand a lot more than people give them credit for. The earlier you incorporate the age appropriate trust and respect in their abilities to understand and reason, the easier it gets as they age.

 

yep. That. its not appropriaate to swat an adult when they break a rule or do something you dont like, a child is no different. You are teaching the child how to treat others when they break rules. You are modeling behavior to them. There are many ways to parent without getting physical with your kids. Spanking is the lazy parents way of "discipline". Discipline means to teach. Only the lazy and ignorant find it appropriate to teach with violence.

[hurting_in_nw]

I don't agree with spanking beyond a single swat on the behind to catch the attention of a small child in full tantrum mode. It is only to startle them and get them listening to you. What age this stops being appropriate depends on the intelligence of the child rather than the age. Once they are intelligent enough to be reasoned with, resorting to violence is a clear indication of the adult's flawed character rather than the child's disposition.

 

FANTASTIC post!

[Clep]

yep. That. its not appropriaate to swat an adult when they break a rule or do something you dont like, a child is no different. You are teaching the child how to treat others when they break rules. You are modeling behavior to them. There are many ways to parent without getting physical with your kids. Spanking is the lazy parents way of "discipline". Discipline means to teach. Only the lazy and ignorant find it appropriate to teach with violence.

 

This is exactly how I feel. I also feel that spanking or even swatting for attention is a short term solution for the authoritative parent that creates a long term problem.