Spanking Causes More Harm as Children Get Older

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Never spanked, swatted or hit our son in any way. Never punished -- no time outs, no taking away privileges, etc. Occasional natural consequences (not taking him shopping if he can't agree to come out without me buying him something). We used everything as a learning experience. He is 29 now and about the nicest person I know. Never had any rebellion or sassing or any of that....he always knew we were all on the same team and we have always worked together. Without Spanking or Spoiling and the PET books are a great place to start.

gail nagasako of HI 2:46PM August 16, 2012

How come they did not cite the article in Child Development or at least tell us what the article is called. I can't do more research on the topic if the only info they give is the journal name and a possible leader in the research. "researchers say" is not enough for me to credit this source....

Danielle Swift of CA 2:55PM February 19, 2012

why do people have to hit kids like that.It just feels wrong. i was spanked as a child and it made me feel like nobody cared about me and they WANTED to her my feelings! One day, someone might spank their child so hard that a couple years later that child will end up trying to hurt their parent to make them pay for what they've done. A child can hold lots of anger through out so many years, that they'll someday get pay back at their parent(s) for hitting them.
Also, in the olden days, kids use to get hit with swicthes and belts and so many horrible things. If we continue this horrible threat to god's most precious gifts of life, in the future, people will start hitting their kids with metal bars or start beating them unconcious. Even worse, the ELECTRIC CHAIR!!!!!!!!!!
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, OH PLEASE, raise the shame of spanking and just punish them with time out, groundings, or taking away privilinges.
It's for the safety of our children, you , your family, and THE WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!
thank you.

partygirl of GA 12:52AM August 20, 2010

I am a 35 year old female and I have to say I do have the most biased opinion of everyone here. Because of my childhood experiences I swore that I would NEVER EVER have children to have to ever have worry about this issue with and I never did. Now I have a medical condition that will prevent me from ever worrying about it and it is water under the bridge. My mother was in poverty (working class poor) single, stressed and out of options, very bitter and angry, from a family (my grandparents) that new nothing but violence and addiction and this is the way she parented me, with an iron fist. I was born highly sensitive to the world around me, curious and questioning everything, too intelligent for my own good and it got me beaten (call it spanking if that's what you want to) over and over and over and over, sometimes for nothing. My developmentally brother was subject to the same treatment and he was often left in my care. I can still hear his screams echoing in my head, I can still hear the sound of the belt connecting with his flesh. Why would human beings condemn someone to such an ugly fate? I have been in therapy for years and years. Even now as and adult her touch repulses me and I can never forget the things she has done. I know you are going to say that what she did was abuse, not discipline but where does the line get drawn??? I see no difference. I can't stand it....

Jen of AL 9:34PM July 07, 2010

I am a proud mother of a 3 year old very well behaved boy. Everywhere we go, people comment and feel the need to stop me to say how impressed they are! My son's vocabulary and pronunciation is quite advanced and rare in other children his age. When he behaves he is rewarded with love, attention and praise. From time to time he will get a toy or a trip to the movies. And when he misbehaves he gets a spanking on his butt. My son is healthy, bright and loving! Whether he behaves or misbehaves he is being taught cause and effect, and I assume he will know my rules before he is 5. Spankings will continue as I see fit. I was spanked! my mother was spanked and I'm sure your parents and grandparents were spanked. There was once a world where there was common courtesy, and people had values and morals. You don't have to look very far to see where this argument has gotten us in our society. The real reason why children are suffering is because Parents don't know how to be parents. In life there is always cause and effect. Teach your children now, to make decisions that will benefit them by teaching them consequences.

Sarai of CA 5:55PM May 24, 2010

Why must parents use fear and the infliction of pain to teach their children discipline? There is a weakness in parents who spank because they lack the patience and knowledge to use other means. Spanking is outdated and has been proven time and time again to be ineffective and even damaging to the children who endure it.

Lynn of LA 12:02PM April 07, 2010

As with anything, it is fine in moderation.

Gary of ID 8:20PM January 10, 2010

if your brat cant act right beat them til they do

ashley of MT 8:14AM November 18, 2009

Is there a United Nations Convention on Minding Their Own Business?
If not, there should.
The UN has no real legitimacy, nor any relavance nowadays, go home folks and take your flags with you.
Go invade a country or something.

Greg of IL 1:05PM November 10, 2009