Maybe you have put the question too black and white?
Personally, I come down on the side that it is always wrong to hit a child (there, that's pretty black and white for ya!). That we have better and more effective tools than that. We tell them hitting is wrong - yet we hit them. Sends a double-message in my opinion. The Bible folks like to bring up the 'rod' passages. I don't deny the Bible or the rod passages. I think the rod just means discipline/punishment which is not synonymous with spank. Additionally, the same said book also talks about the rod being used on the back of fools. Now I ask, which of us ADULTS have not done something foolish in the last week? Well, did we get a literal rod beat down over us? If not, why not? If yes - by whom and with what intensity, frequency and duration?
However, I think I'm in the minority position on this thread (which is fine with me). Most on this thread think it is fine to spank their kids. I believe one even used the comment of giving his kid a fat lip . . .
When I bring up with what intensity and duration and frequency do you spank them - their reply seems to be silence. Maybe their silence is saying it is none of my d--- business (which again, is fine with me.)
I think you know where I stand. Others can speak for themselves if they'd like.
Dean
tamwelsh@yahoo.com
