Spanking--Punishment or Discipline?
Spanking: Child Abuse or Discipline?
The Bible states that “Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, the rod of discipline will remove it from him” (Prov. 22:15). Even though it appears that the Bible condones corporal punishment, it is not enough for people to believe that it is okay to do. There is a very thin line between child abuse and discipline when it comes to spanking. Many people believe it can lead to better school grades and ambition to attend college and are not as likely to engage in early sexual activity or get into fights.
Spanking can violate the child’s right to grow up free from being assaulted and can lead to abuse. The key word in that statement is ‘can’. There is always a chance that something negative will happen when disciplining your child, either verbally or physically, but most of the time, nothing happens. Spanking, when done properly, is not assault, it is punishment. Although, it is possible for spanking to escalate into something worse like abuse or assault. When disciplining children, sometimes they just will not cooperate with anything and may need something more forceful than talking or taking away a privilege to back it up. This is when backup spanking comes in. Backup spanking “involves two swats of an open hand to the rear end, and parents should affirm a love for the child afterward” (Ogilvie). This method is most effective with two to six year olds. “When used correctly, spanking is safe and effective, and can be an appropriate tool for parents” (Ogilvie).
Over thirty states worldwide have banned corporal punishment in the home. There are many people who are trying to get corporal punishment outlaws in Canada, the United States, and many other places. People believe that if they make spanking your child illegal, it will solve many problems. Twenty-two countries in Europe have banned this particular practice beginning with Sweden thirty-four years ago. “Since then, child abuse rates exploded over five
The Bible states that “Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, the rod of discipline will remove it from him” (Prov. 22:15). Even though it appears that the Bible condones corporal punishment, it is not enough for people to believe that it is okay to do. There is a very thin line between child abuse and discipline when it comes to spanking. Many people believe it can lead to better school grades and ambition to attend college and are not as likely to engage in early sexual activity or get into fights.
Spanking can violate the child’s right to grow up free from being assaulted and can lead to abuse. The key word in that statement is ‘can’. There is always a chance that something negative will happen when disciplining your child, either verbally or physically, but most of the time, nothing happens. Spanking, when done properly, is not assault, it is punishment. Although, it is possible for spanking to escalate into something worse like abuse or assault. When disciplining children, sometimes they just will not cooperate with anything and may need something more forceful than talking or taking away a privilege to back it up. This is when backup spanking comes in. Backup spanking “involves two swats of an open hand to the rear end, and parents should affirm a love for the child afterward” (Ogilvie). This method is most effective with two to six year olds. “When used correctly, spanking is safe and effective, and can be an appropriate tool for parents” (Ogilvie).
Over thirty states worldwide have banned corporal punishment in the home. There are many people who are trying to get corporal punishment outlaws in Canada, the United States, and many other places. People believe that if they make spanking your child illegal, it will solve many problems. Twenty-two countries in Europe have banned this particular practice beginning with Sweden thirty-four years ago. “Since then, child abuse rates exploded over five