Slapping Your Children

Kosmiche

Kosmiche

Kosmiche

Permabanned
Joined
3 Oct 2009
Posts
14,033
Location
North Wales
What is your stance on parents slapping their children, should it be allowed?

Do you feel slapping children is ok?
 
<insert standard 'never did me no harm' response>

I used to get a smack if I misbehaved. No idea if I'd do it to my kids if I ever have any.
 
This is a bit deep for a Monday! :(

I think it depends on the situation and where you are. I don't think it's acceptable in public due to the who child abuse potential, but when at home it should be used with caution.

For Example, if my son kept pulling/pinching and despite repeating the reasons why not to do it, there may be a call to pinch/pull back so they know the pain.

Not quite the same situation, but I feel an alternative!
 
I don't think parenting using fear is a great technique, instead teaching them why something is wrong and showing them why and also explaining things goes a lot further in life.

Because one day when they get offered drugs at a party, you won't be there to smack them. But the lessons you taught will be.
 
CREATIVE!11 said:
I don't think parenting using fear is a great technique, instead teaching them why something is wrong and showing them why and also explaining things goes a lot further in life.

Because one day when they get offered drugs at a party, you won't be there to smack them. But the lessons you taught will be.
Click to expand...

That last bit is an interesting way to look at it heh.

I agree generally parenting through fear generally doesn't produce anything other than a quick and dirty short term "fix" for the parent's convenience (is that even parenting?) but you do get the odd child where physical reinforcement really is the only way to get through to them - the vast majority of children don't require this.
 
My order of discipline:

Tell not to do something
Explain why I don't want them to do something
Warn that if they continue to do it, there will be consequences
Threaten consequences that can be followed though on (take away TV time, slap on the legs etc. Using something you can't follow through with - such as not going to disneyland this year - is counter productive)
Follow through with consequences

I do use a light slap on the bottom or legs as a last resort. Not enough to leave a mark or actually hurt but enough to shock. I've only had to do this twice in 10 years though. Normally raising my voice is enough.
 
[cliche]I used to get a smacked backside, or a clip up the ear and it didn't do me any harm. [/cliche]

I think it is a natural way our species recognises the dominant members of the family group (IE our parents), as well as learning that doing X results in Y.

That said I do not think it is the only way children can be taught discipline but I think it can be effective - it certainly was for me.

My neices and nephews are growing up in the PC age where they get things explained to them, and they sit on the naughty step and suchlike. To be fair, they are all ill behaved compared to me and my brother and sister at the same age. I dont know if that is because of the 'soft' way in which they are disciplined, or because of other factors.

That said, I think smacking children opens the door for less moderate and less controlled parents to be violent and abusive under the guise of discipline.

Am I for or against? I am unsure. Generally against but I think some situations may arise where talking simply isnt enough. If I had a child who was about to use a brick on his newborn sisters head, I think he would get more than a talking to.
 
I'm conflicted on this. Naturally I'd say it is not acceptable. However, I remember getting a light slap around the head when I was acting like a total brat and it worked! It shut me up and I don't think it's had any ill effect later in life :p

I'm sure the experts will tell you it's wrong and there are far more effective ways of controlling your children - and I would probably accept the theories. However, I think if I was a parent and my kids were behaving really badly and trying my patience I imagine I would at least threaten with a slap.
 
Last edited:
BuffetSlayer said:
That said, I think smacking children opens the door for less moderate and less controlled parents to be violent and abusive under the guise of discipline.
Click to expand...

I'd argue that abusive parents will be abusive regardless of the legal implications. It's not like the current stance means that no kids are getting smacked anywhere.
 
If it can at all be avoided then no smacking. Smacking as a last resort (e.g. to show the child you can't walk out into a road) is acceptable on the upper legs or bottom. But never hard and never in anger.

I've adopted a "count to 5" system when I warn them they need to stop doing something. At each warning I count up and warn them of consequences (no TV, no ipad, going to bed, etc). If I get to 5 then they know they have stepped too far and will get those consequences imposed. I rarely have to get to 5 now.
 
what about in school if a child misbehaves, hits other children or brings in a black widow sling shot and catapults a rock at the teacher from across the playground?
 
deuse said:
Hitting a child should be a jail sentence.
Click to expand...

People that smoke cannabis should be locked up for years.

Being caught drink driving should be a straight to jail offense with a minimum term sentence.

At least smacking has an actual defense in that it disciplines a child not to do wrong. The other two examples are totally pre-meditated, with no benefit to society.

In fact, the world has become a far worse place this generation, because of all this PC mumbo jumbo BS. The cane should be brought back to school also (even though nowadays the pupils would just pull a knife and stab their teachers!... cause THAT's the norm since everyone became so sensitive and weak).
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom