Whats wrong with a little smack?
Michael Christou 28th January 2002
What's wrong with a little smack?
The issue of corporal punishment has been aware of for many years especially the smacking of children. Many think it is okay and justified by many things to be able to smack youngsters but just as many believe smacking children is immoral and shouldn't be allowed, some even lobby for it to be made illegal.
Many people argue for smacking, saying that it is right, some of the arguments been that: the person (parent) was themselves smacked as a youngster and this, for some justifies been able to smack their children. Or they might only know snacking as a form of punishment because it's the only punishment they received as a child. Also some say that if you don't give your child a punishment as sufficient as a smack they will not learn their lesson there fore they will never know or abide by what is right or wrong. Some would just say it is a quick and immediate form of punishment there for it is the best way. Some say "I was smacked as a youngster and it didn't do me any harm" I think people who say this just use it as an excuse to justify themselves. Finally one last opinion which argues for smacking is where people think 'the child is mine so I have the right/ I'm allowed to hit them if I want.
But opposed to those points of view there are the people who are against smacking with some of the argument been: The parent could take it too far and lose control, it is physical abuse, if punching etc is wrong then so is smacking. Also, if you smack them softly the first time it will only get harder and harder and harder until the child has to suffer violent abuse just to be punished for small acts of misbehavior. Another argument against smacking is that some people might only smack to release their own anger or frustration.
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But opposed to those points of view there are the people who are against smacking with some of the argument been: The parent could take it too far and lose control, it is physical abuse, if punching etc is wrong then so is smacking. Also, if you smack them softly the first time it will only get harder and harder and harder until the child has to suffer violent abuse just to be punished for small acts of misbehavior. Another argument against smacking is that some people might only smack to release their own anger or frustration.
There are many alternatives to smacking, I think alternatives to smacking are better and are more likely to work, I think smacking is wrong and if you do smack your children some of hate and/or fear builds up inside them, they end up fearing you. Some people say this fear of the parent is good and it means the child respects the parent but I think if your child fears you then how can you have a loving, caring parent - child relationship with them.
Some of the most obvious alternatives are shouting, taking away privileges (e.g. sweets, money, TV, hi-fi etc), grounding and making them go straight to their room or bed. I think these punishments work but a Childs' behavior and misbehavior all depends on the bringing up he/she had in the first place. For example if a child has had a bad upbringing, has been mistreat and the parents haven't taken due care in teaching the child basic morals and what's right or wrong then the child will always be misbehaving and no matter what punishment you give them they will not see that it's for their own good, they will resent you, it would be stupid. How would the parent be able to punish the child if the parent has never taught the child that it's wrong in the 1st place? On the other hand if a child has been brought up knowing right from wrong then when you punish them it should, I think have a greater effect.
I think alternatives to smacking are effective but I'm also being tempted to believe that if a child is never smacked them the child is likely to become arrogant, cheeky and ignorant. The reason I think this is that, I have never been smacked and, for various reasons my mother and I have constant, serious disagreements, which can result in me shouting or swearing at my mother which obviously means I don't have as much respect for her as I should. But whatever my point is, at the end of the day, the alternative punishments to smacking, which I receive, are effective.
One time, I truanted a number of lessons from school and when I was caught; I was grounded for six weeks. It was hell and at the time it felt unfair but I wont truant again.
My younger brother for his age is very cheeky and unruly, he is never smacked and lately due to the people he plays with and the things he watches on television (I think) has resulted to swearing and tantruming when he receives a punishment. Maybe in this case a smack would have more effect.
I know some people who have pocket money stopped, have had to stand in a corner of a room, have to sit on the stairs, have to stay in the house have to do house work etc and they seem to work.
When/if I ever have children I wouldn't want to smack them but, depending on the circumstances, maybe a quick slap would be the only option. I think the punishment shouldn't be out of proportion to the act of misbehavior.
In conclusion to all of this, trying to summarize my own views has just made me even more confused on whether or not I think smacking in any form should be allowed and/or carried out.
Until I have children, if I have children, it's not an issue I would like to have to think about.
Obviously, my overall opinion is that physical abuse is wrong and alternatives should be tried out but, to make a child realize, maybe a slap is needed.
Michael Christou 11a2
MAchristou eng.doc