How many parents out there actually spank there children?

So many people are either totally for spanking or totally against it. Who does it, how often, what are the boundaries, and do you use anything besides your hand?...And why, if people are for it if someone does it in public, do the public have such an issue about it?

Answers:
Spanking has nothing to do with where you live geographically. There are several million people in the South that are totally against spanking, and there are several million people in the North that are totally FOR spanking. Just go into any blue collar New Jersey or New York neighborhood and see how many dads knock their kids around when they get out of line. Just go into any small town southern community and you will see the same thing. Then go somewhere like Austin Tx or metro Atlanta area and you will find that there are literally thousands of protests against spanking children. Same goes for a Monteplier and Madison. That is such a sterotypical respsonse to think that the south still lives in the 1800s. Some people obviously have not had more than a television or two day vacation experience with Southern States. I've lived in both, I've had to do also do nationwide research on the topic and it all boils down to the level of education of the parents, their morals, and how they were raised. Parents that had abusive parents will either repeat the steps or they will make sure to NEVER touch their child because they remember how it was. Nothing at all to do with location.

My take on it is that spanking rarely works, but a good swat on the behind with your hand may be able to scare a child into doing right IF the child understands what he/she is doing is wrong. It is not a form of punishment that will last indefinitely. The kids eventually grow up and aren't as scared anymore, yet the same problems are still there because the proper discipline was not used. They key is to get the child to understand WHAT they are doing wrong. If it requires a spanking, at least let them understand why this is happening..and NEVER spank while you are angry.

Other Answers:
You're obviously from the South. In the South, you are considered a bad parent who spoils their kids if you don't tear up their bottom when they do something wrong.

Go into a rural grocery store in the South and hang out a while. You will see a mom holding the kid up by the arm with one hand while stinging their behind with the other hand, right there in the store.

Since Dr. Spock came on the scene spanking has decreased. I believe you will find children are less well behaved since then. I favor spanking but there is a difference between spanking and beating up. I do it, but not everyday.I only use my hand, but If you'd just talk to your child you will be surprised at how much they really understand what your saying. The public probably has an issue with the fact that you actually have the balls to show that you will not let your child run you.

i dont have kids but when i do i will spank. not hard core smack, but a butt hit and a hand pat. not with objects though. thats bad. i dont want to abuse my child just get the point accross. no marks left

Fungusbrains, it was just a question. You don't need to insult the poor thing. I don't even have kids yet. But i have practically raised my nephew. Spanking is okay, I say-but as a last resort. It definitely embarrasses them more than it hurts, that is how/why it is effective. The WORST is when I see brats throwing fits in public and the parents stand by and do NOTHING. That makes me want to hit the parents, and not to embarrass them but to HURT THEM:)

I am from the South, and i strongly feel that some situations require a good spankin'. I will wear my son's butt out. He knows it he doesn't test it...often. Spare the rod spoil the child!!!!!!!!!!!! And yes, i will spank him with a wood spoon, or a belt...whatever gets my point acroos. Other forms disciplines do not work like good swat to the A**. I spank my children, it has gotten to the point where you are judged if you are a parent like this and they call it CHILD ABUSE. That is a bunch of bull. Believe me I have been reported for spanking and they tell me it is not me that has the problem, it is society! Spanking is fine as long as it is only on the bottom.

i dont spank, but ive seen some pretty bad spankens in the store. ticks me off

I am a firm believer in spare the rod, spoil the child. I spank with my hand and there are really only 2 spank-able offenses in my house...violence and lying. I don't tolerate either of those.

I do live in the south but I was raised in the north, my children were born here in the south, but, let me tell you this, I do not HIT my children. Maybe that is the NORTH in me, but I believe in other forms of discipline. After you HIT a child, does he/she go do it again after they are done crying, because you hurt that child or embarrassed them? Why don't you try SPEAKING to them and don't ask WHY questions because that will only make you madder because they Will say "I DON"T KNOW" Right? I think parents need to speak more and be more involved in their children's lives. Hitting only last a few minutes, getting in he head last a life time. This is more of a response to the first amswer I grew up north never once got a spanking I now live down south have a 8 year old who called 911 hung up from a pay phone when the police came he said I should woop his A** {exact words}with a belt.I did not do it.I tend to yell which does no good maybe the belt trick might work.

My husband and I do but very rarely. Our sons are 5 and 2. Spanks in our household are last resort, one swat, enough to get attention, never enough to hurt. Our 5 year old gets spanked mainly for being mouthy which in itself is extremely rare. Our 2 year old gets time outs, if and when he gets up before being allowed, which is pretty much going to happen, he gets a spank and reminded to sit in time out until told to get up. Kids respond differently. Some kids are spanked so often they don't have a clue why. I would never hit my child with anything. I'm in Pennsylvania and the only opinion I've ever got in a public place was when my oldest son was almost 3 and he stood up in the grocery cart. I was very very pregnant and had a horrible time fighting with a 3 year old boy standing in a cart and trying to get him to sit down before he fell down. I spanked him one time and told him very firmly to sit down. An elderly woman saw the whole thing and afterwards came up and told me more parents needed to discipline their children instead of arguing with them.

I do believe there are instances of misbehavior that require a swat on the behind. I do not use my hand because the same hand I love my children with will not be the same hand I smack them with. I use a ping pong paddle and only one swat is all they have ever needed at a time. I do hate to go to a store and see some mother whipping her child, one swat should get the point across, multiple swings are pointless. The kids know they are in trouble after the first swat. Almost all stores have public restrooms why not take your child there to bust their behinds instead of where everyone has to see it? I think if you are firm in what you say and are consistent in your discipline you don't have to use spankings as punishment all the time. Now in my house disrespect and lying are just about the only things that will get you a swat. I have been fortunate with not having to "pound" discipline into my children. I have also seen many children out there that a good ole swat on the behind might just straighten them right up too.

I don't spank. I don't really think spanking a kid is morally wrong or anything, just hypocritical. How can I ever teach my son that hitting is wrong if I hit him when he does something I don't like? I witnessed a mother spanking a child for hitting another child and I wanted to spank her myself! Kids learn from example....

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How many parents out there actually spank there children?

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