Spanking

Spanking or smacking is a traditional form of corporal punishment, in particular of children but also, especially in the past, of wives and women. Spanking (not beating), by today's definition, consists of striking the buttocks repeatedly, with either an open hand or various implements including a belt, martinet, switch, hairbrush or paddle. Spanking is generally considered corrective punishment, with no intention of permanent injury; however, such intentions do not always have their desired result.

Spankings may be delivered over clothing, over the undergarments only, or upon the bare buttocks in increasing order of intended pain, and potentially humiliation. The latter is considered by many to be too humiliating to be appropriate.

Spanking is a hotly debated social issue in many countries. Questions exist as to whether children should be spanked, whether it is an effective method of discipline, and whether it constitutes child abuse.

The argument for spanking

Those who accept spanking often frame the issue as a matter of parental rights, stating that parents have the right to raise their children in the way they consider most appropriate. They also hold there is little evidence that moderate spanking is harmful. Further, many believe that discipline problems among children have recently increased, and partially attribute the increase to the decline of both parental authority and the use of spanking. Proponents of spanking also argue that moderate spanking is simple and effective, especially compared to non-spanking disciplines proposed by both academic psychologists and parents which may rely upon complicated or unrealistic methods that are often not implemented successfully.

Another argument used by proponents of spanking is that proper and effective spankings cause only temporary pain and no damage. It has been claimed that when parents and children are engaged in a prolonged struggle for authority, the anger and bitterness that results can cause an emotional estrangement that far outweighs any possible negative effects from moderate spankings.

Some advocates for spanking come from a behaviorist point of view, and argue that spanking is a form of operant conditioning, whereby the child associates a certain behaviour with the physical pain and/or humiliation caused by spanking. Since a child's learning process is believed to be less complex than that of an adult, they claim that children are more likely to be influenced by such a conditioning.

Additionally, there is a widespread and deep skepticism among pro-spankers of all the arguments against spanking, and a general feeling that the practice of spanking recalcitrant children has proven its worth over a period of many centuries. They believe that the bias against spanking is arbitrary and an improper application of egalitarian principles to what they claim is an inherently unequal social relationship.

Opponents of spanking frequently compare the 'unequal' justification of physical force against children to past justifications for either slavery or spousal abuse. Advocates, however, point out their doubt that opponents are actually interested in elevating children to the status of adults and claim, therefore, that such comparisons are invalid.

Arguments against spanking

Anti-spanking advocates make a number of arguments against spanking, on a number of grounds: chiefly that spanking is abusive, that it is ineffective, and that it teaches children that physical violence is an acceptable way to deal with other people or "might makes right."

Opponents of spanking note that what is considered chastisement for a child would be considered assault when carried out on an adult. For example, it is now considered domestic violence for a man to physically chastise his wife in many nations. Some hold that, in time, the act of spanking a child will be regarded in the same way: indeed, in some nations this is already the case. (See below.)

The boundary between spanking and abuse is difficult for even traditionalists to define. Two guides are that the parent doing the spanking must not feel anger at the child or satisfaction at the act of spanking, and that the spanking must not leave any marks or injury. Opponents suggest that both of these may be rationalizations, or a slippery slope.

Opponents also hold that spanking is ineffective and that other forms of discipline are more successful at teaching a child to behave properly.

Opponents also claim that spanking teaches children that violence is an appropriate way to treat one who offends. Some consider that spanking, as with clear-cut forms of physical abuse, may perpetuate a "cycle of violence" which contributes to violent behavior in the child as an adult. Children learn by example, and those subjected to physical violence "for their own good" will, the argument goes, learn that this is an appropriate way to treat others who have wronged them.

Alternatives to spanking

Opponents of spanking state that there are numerous methods of non-violent child discipline which are at least as effective as spanking, and without the negative side-effects that they attribute to spanking; see that article for details.

Spanking and the Bible

Some Christians, especially many fundamentalists and evangelicals, often cite various passages in the Old Testament as either supporting spanking as an acceptable but not required form of discipline or mandating it as a primary source of discipline. While the Old Testament often mentions the "rod", it is debated among Christians whether this refers to corporal punishment or to parental authority. Few Christian advocates of corporal punishment believe an actual rod must be used and consider the hand, when used to spank, as an acceptable substitute. Complicating their acceptance of these Scriptures is the idea that most of these same Christians consider the Old Testament to be obsolete, except when considering spanking and a few other subjects.

Some Bible passages quoted in support of spanking include:

Proverb 13:24: "He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes (diligently)." (See the external link “What the Bible says About Spanking” below for more examples.)
Prov 19:18: "Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying."
Prov 23:13-14: "Withhold not correction from the child: for [if] thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell."
Prov 29:15: "The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame."

Christian opponents of spanking disagree that spanking is mandated by God. One reason is because of the way the Hebrew word "rod" (shebet) is used. See the external link, "The Rod or Shebet: An Indepth Study." Another reason is the Hebrew word for "son" in the "spanking verses" is na'ar, which is used to refer only to older young men, not children.

Another Christian reasoning for spanking is that during biblical times, it is supposed that there was little knowledge with regard to non-violent disciplinary; however, the ancient writings of the rabbis would vehemently disagree. Some Christians do also hold that thoughtful use of proper discipline, even if it is not spanking, is more important to God. Thus, effective use of non-violent disciplinary methods would be acceptable in God’s eyes.

Some Bible passages quoted in opposition to spanking include:

"Correct your son, and he will give you comfort; He will also delight your soul." Proverbs 29:17
"Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me." Matthew 25:40
"Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." Ephesians 6:4
"Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart." Colossians 3:21

The legal situation

Corporal punishment of children in school is illegal in many western countries; it remains legal in about two dozen U.S. states, although it is commonly practiced only in the South. There are states where school officials have lost their jobs for spanking students.

In the UK the Children Bill was passed in 2004. One attempt to make spanking illegal in England and Wales did not pass when a majority of 424 to 75 Members of Parliament voted against the bill [1]. A House of Lords amendment, however, made it illegal to leave any visible marks.

Spanking of children within families is illegal in some countries (for example, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Norway, Austria, Germany, Italy, Cyprus, Croatia, Israel and Latvia). Similar initiatives in the U.S. have repeatedly failed. Parental rights groups have formed since the 1990s to prevent spanking from being criminalized.

Also see

External links