1) Some parents also believe that nonphysical punishments like “time-out” do not work effectively. Spanking is also practiced more in some countries and cultures then others.
“While spanking may relieve a parents frustration and stop misbehavior briefly, researchers suggest that spanking may be the least effective discipline method. To test this hypothesis, researchers surveyed parents, with the assumption that if spanking worked, children who were spanked would learn to behave better over time so that they would need punishing less frequently”. (Ramsburg, 1997, pg. 1) Julie Lawrence-Edsell, a mother of two has mixed feelings about the practice of spanking “I was spanked when I was young and it certainly made an impression” (Clayton, 2007, pg. 5). One of the reasons that parents spank their children is that they are completely unaware of other effective strategies for changing their children’s bad behavior.
While some parents view spanking as an effective disciplinary tool, other parents plainly resent the use of the practice. “Although some parents swear by spanking as an effective discipline method, researchers form the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor conducted a study that found that parents who use corporal punishment may see their children’s behavior getting worse, not better”. (“Spanking Doesn’t Improve Children’s Behavior”, 2005)
The disciplinary tool of spanking may be ineffective because it does not teach children a valuable lesson. Children feel humiliated, helpless, and resentful after being spanked by their parents. The only lesson they learn is that they should try hard to not get caught next time by their parents. “Spanking also sends the wrong message to children. Spanking communicates that hitting is an acceptable way to solve problems, and that it is
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alright for a big person to strike a little one. In addition, when children are spanked, they may know that they have done something wrong, but in many cases, they are too young
to understand the lesson. It is a very hard message for a child and parent to understand: “I hurt you because I don’t want you hurt.” (Ramsburg, 1997, pg. 2). When spanking is used as the primary method of discipline, it may leave some harmful long-term effects on children such as increasing a child’s misbehavior, aggressive behavior, violent or criminal behavior, impaired learning, depression, and low self-esteem.
For a punishment to be effective, parents should use discipline that is appropriate for a child’s age. For infants, spanking will only cause fear and anxiety because they do not yet understand the concept of danger and their consequences. “If there is danger, grasp the infants hand instead of slapping…Baby proof your living space so that there is nothing dangerous or breakable.” (Ramsburg, 1997, pg. 2) For toddlers it requires an enormous amount of time, energy, and patience and it is important to find effective techniques. Spanking will only teach toddlers that they are bad people instead of the thing that they were doing was bad. “Make sure the environment is safe by removing any harmful or dangerous objects. It is natural for toddlers to want to explore the environment. Always supervise toddlers… If you start to deliver a slap, divert it to your knee or a table. This sound will interrupt the behavior without hitting the child. (Ramsburg, 1997, pg. 3). “Super Nanny”, Kimberly Powell, a stay-at-home mom and star of her own show “Super Nanny”, uses the “stop-chair” (a.k.a. The Naughty Chair) for her 3 year old daughter, “I started using it since when my oldest daughter was 2 years old and it has worked well”. (Clayton, 2007, pg. 5) Many parents found new ingenious ways to
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discipline their children without hitting. “Deborah and Terry Pope, picked up tricks from their 7 year old daughter’s martial arts class. “We’re always looking for new ways to discipline our daughter, as not much seems to have an effect. Lately we’re taking the military route! Since she’s enrolled in a martial arts class, we’re linking class to home and giving her push-ups-10 for smart-mouthing or 20 for lying.” (Clayton, 1997, pg 6)
My point of view on the topic of spanking is that I do not agree on the use of spanking to punish a child. I believe that hitting a child will not teach a child what is right, but will teach a child bad things. If a parent hits a child, for doing something wrong the child might become insecure and get the wrong impression. If a child sees another child doing something wrong that child might hit the child for doing a wrong thing. Also, if a parent keeps hitting a child it might grow out of control, and lead to serious child abuse. For example in the book “A Child Called It” a boy is beaten by is emotionally, unstable, alcoholic mother. The punishments went from time-out to spanking, to whipping and punching. I agree whole hardly on the topic “Spanking Gets A Time Out” by Victoria Clayton. I believe that parents should find new ingenious ways to discipline their children. As for me, I would never even think of hitting my own children and if they are acting up I would just do time out instead.
The question whether or not parents should spank their children is not an easy question to answer. I believe spanking is not effective and that parents should not resort to that kind of behavior. Parents should find new ways to discipline their children so that they would grow up to be good people.