~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Results of
Spanking Poll on Rexanne.com: Voters - 233 Percentage of readers who do not spank their children: 37% Percentage of readers who spank their children: 62% ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I am completely opposed to spanking. I know that almost twice as many of you spank your children as don't. At risk of alienating 62 percent of my subscribers, I cannot, in good conscience, keep my opinions to myself. ;-)
I feel we have evolved enough as a society to understand that violence breeds violence. Hitting is physically violent. So is spanking. I do not believe spanking children teaches them to mind their parents or caretakers any better than other forms of constructive discipline. If it is unacceptable to hit an adult, what makes it acceptable to hit a child? Taking into consideration parent or caretaker is most likely three times size of child, doesn't this bring up issues of bullying?
Many of comments left on spanking poll mentioned a biblical reference, "Spare rod, spoil child." When we consider that bible was written thousands of years ago, we must also take into consideration that we may have advanced to point where biblical interpretations are probably not to be taken as literally as they once were. I do not believe parents should spank their children into submission, any more than I believe criminals should be stoned to death by masses, as was custom so many years ago.
Many parents (myself included) have neglected to replace spanking with another solid form of discipline. Refraining from spanking our kids does not negate disciplining them. We have created a generation of children without boundaries in our zeal to adopt a kinder, gentler parenting style. While I am thoroughly delighted that many parents have decided not to spank their children, I am saddened by lack of respect for authority in so many children today. Without limits, children are insecure, always testing boundaries ... begging to be corralled for their own safety. In removing physical punishment, we need to find a healthy replacement.
Another comment mentioned often in spanking poll had to do with spanking a child "out of love." I think this means parent is disciplining their child because they love them. Yes, by all means, discipline your child when needed. My only request is that you consider not raising a hand or your voice to them in order to accomplish this. My methods have been to remove a privilege, after a warning. It might not be best form of imposing limits on children but it works pretty well with my daughters ... most of time. ;-)
