Free Or Not To Spank Children Persuasive Essay

For decades, spanking has been embraced in many families. However, the debate still lingers as to whether or not this form of discipline brings forth constructive or destructive result in children. While studies have shown that using spanking as a way of disciplining children does not turn out productive for the child or society, several parents still believe it’s the only way their children can learn. In an effort to reduce child abuse, this action has been banned in some countries, nonetheless still endures in others such as Canada. In spite of the advancement in civilization, many parents still hold on to the certainty that they were spanked for their own benefit and they will treat their children the same way.
In Changing our minds about spanking, O’Mara talks about the multiple downs of spanking children. While there are still parents who believe that spanking is harmless and it's an effective way of discipline, O’Mara says it’s a form of punishment that’s not only damaging to the child but the whole community . Our overcrowded prisons and the continued upsurge of crimes in our society is O’Mara’s first argument that punishment doesn’t work. Since the majority of the public believes that people should be punished when they do harmful act, parents discipline their offsprings with the same mindset hoping to teach them a lesson. “Spanking is a problem in some places, due to the misguided belief that it changes unacceptable behaviours and provides a way to control people” (O’Mara, 1989). However, when children are spanked, it means that “they are senseless and malicious and intentionally hurt people especially their loved ones” (O’Mara, 1989). She believes that only the actions of affection and confidence at an early age can bring forth pleasant behaviours.There is also, O’Mara says, the failure of parents to reflect on their childhood and so they pass on the same punishment they received to their children. At the very least, she argues that punishment like spanking only distribute hatred and retaliation. Lastly, O’Mara encourages those that support the idea that spanking is required, to make the decision to change their minds.
By choosing not to be violent to our children. she trusts that we can decrease the amount of violence that takes place in our society and the number of individuals in our prisons.

In her article, “To spank or not to spank?”, Karima A. Haynes (1994) illustrate the controversial debate between parents and psychologists about whether to spank or not to spank children. While most parents argue that spanking is the only effective way to discipline; on the other hand, psychologists dispute the idea and claim that punishment only produces violence in children. According to some parents, spanking in an old tradition that has proven successful for decades. These parents interpret their spanking experience as painful but was necessary to keep them on the right path (Haynes, 1994). In fact, they claim that all children are bound to get spanked and it's in the best interest of the child to spank them sooner than later. Haynes further states that parents believe the current generation has become relaxed in using this method of discipline and it has caused an increase in societal violence and overpopulated
prisons. On the contrary, psychologists reject the beliefs of parents who are in support of spanking their children. Even though psychologists don’t believe in spanking, however; they agree that mild spanking is necessary if the child’s life is in danger. Nonetheless, they refute the claim to use punishment as a way of discipline. They insist that “children who are spanked turn out to be highly aggressive and develop other negative attributes” (Haynes, 1994). In the end, psychologists advise parents to be malleable in disciplining their children in order to reduce hostility and fear when they do something wrong. In the parenting section of this Chatelaine magazine, the author discusses the conditions align with the legalisation of physical discipline for children. Pearson says that there have been many deliberations around the right of parents to discipline their child and the protection of children from abuse. Previously, parents were criminally charged and found not guilty for using heavy force that will be considered abuse today to discipline their kids (Pearson, 2002). “In an effort to protect children and allow parents to carry responsibilities; the supreme court ruled that parents, teachers, and caregivers can discipline children with the purpose of correcting their behaviour, use of rational force and refrained from abusive punishments” (Pearson, 2002). The author clarifies that for parents to avoid conviction for assault, they most abide by the limits set by the supreme court. Not all parents and guardians, for various reasons, consistently meet the challenge.

Wells and Turner examine the meaning of the approved corporal punishment linking it to the increased cases of child abuse in Canada. They argued that knowing the frequency of corporal punishment to that of abuse proves difficult since cases are predominantly based on the parents report. The authors go on to say that “most child abuse cases that are reported begin with the parent attempt to discipline the child” (Wells & Turner, 2014). By outlining the impacts of punishment in children, Wells and Turner claim that studies now show that even the permitted corporal punishment has destructive outcomes that are related to “mental health issues, criminal behaviours, and aggressions” (Wells & Turner, 2014). In Canadian homes where whopping remains common, children who experience or witness violence in the home learn that it’s a normal behaviour (Wells & Turner, 2014). In addition, once these children grow up, they find it difficult to trust and build a healthy social or intimate relationship with others. For the reasons listed above, though Canada agrees with a reasonable force to discipline kids, Wells and Turners call for public awareness that will make known the dangers of corporal punishment. Similarly, they encourage for provinces to develop techniques that will give parents positive means of disciplining their children. The issue of spanking is an important aspect of parenting. Although there have not been any drastic changes in the advice given, there are a few that have helped shape certain areas of this issue. One particular area that has remained constant for years is the beliefs parents have that spanking is necessary for children. In spite of this, the law around spanking children has been reviewed and modified. Several legislations now governs the welfare and protection of children. “One form of this protection facilitates the policy objective that a society's children all enjoy security, stable social relationships, satisfaction of basic needs, and minimal exposure to harm within the family unit” (Bowal, 2009). “There is no other subset of the population that benefits from as many protections” as children (Bowal, 2009). While parents were allowed to use any physical force necessary to discipline their child, now, they are required to use mild forces to protect the child from physical abuse. Another change is the development of alternative mechanisms to discipline children. Due to the high level of child abuse cases, parents are advice to use techniques that have been found to be effective in order to refrain from the old custom of physical punishment. Unlike the earlier days, more research has been done that prove spanking be an ineffective form of discipline and put children at risk of becoming a menace to society. Even though parents are persistent in spanking their kids, they are less likely now than before to do so publicly. What’s more, are the various anti-spanking organizations that work intensely to create awareness by pushing for other methods of discipline. These are changes that were not available in the past because spanking was common. Different from before, “professionals such as teachers and physicians are mandated to report suspicions of abuse or neglect to the authorities” (Bowal, 2009). This obligation is one of many changes that have taken spanking children to a different dimension.