|
I love the article--thanks for posting it.
I would like to address the issue of spanking as a way of changing behavior in a child that is too young to comprehend consequences. If you were in charge of an adult that had the mental capacity of a child ( hrough illness, retardation or for whatever reason) and this person could not comprehend that cars are dangerous or a stove is hot---you could not hit him to "teach" him to be afraid. That is illegal--which is a good thing. You would have to find other ways of keeping that adult person safe. The fact is that there are other ways of teaching our children and keeping them safe. There are many adults walking around safe and well behaved productive members of our society today that were not spanked--so it is not required. It can be done. Spanking is one method but not the only method and IMHO one that has become outdated and perhaps harmful.
I could never hit my children. I discipline them when necesssary, I am not one to mistake friendship for parenting--but spanking sends all the wrong messages--IMHO.
One more thought---I have never heard ANYONE say they "beat their children". Even the most abusive parent will claim that it was a spanking that was needed. No one ever thinks they have crossed the line and are being abusive. I am NOT saying that anyone here has crossed that line---I am just noting that no one ever thinks they have.
|