[akcskye]

I will honestly say I am on both sides of the fence with this one.

Myself, I will never spank MY children, but that is because I know for certain that one open handed swat on a clothes covered butt would not compare to the abuse they've more than likely already gone through.

They'd probably just laugh it off, or it would make them regress...so NO spanking here.

I was spanked as a child. HOWEVER, it was only one time, and it was because I ran out into the street and almost got squashed by a car, after my mother telling me about 5 times to not go NEAR the street.

That one time WAS effective for me. It did not physically hurt me...I honestly think the spank hurt my mother worse.

BUT, what it DID do was startle me into realizing that she MEANT what she said...DON'T RUN INTO THE STREET!

I was more fortunate to have received that consequence than what I missed (being hit by a car).

I know a lot of you like to say "would you like me to spank you for turning without a signal" etc...however, the point you're missing is that YOU are not in an authorative role in my life.

Sure, if YOU hit me, it would be assault. You are a total stranger, decking me. Yeah, you're gonna get sued.

I understand what you're saying, I'm just saying the example is kind of a moot point.

Again, I will not spank my children...but there are sometimes where a parent needs to, and as long as it is not taken to the extreme, if the parent felt it needed to be done, and the desired result came of it, then what wrong is there?

Your grandparents were spanked...and some of you, depending upon age, had parents who were spanked. It was the norm "back then".

Did they turn out abusive or resentful? No (I'm sure there are some that have, but I hope you understand my point).

Great thought provoking post!