Reply #79: "There are so many ways to teach..." that is so true. [View All]

My parents never hit or spanked me or my three younger sisters. We grew into productive, intelligent, respectful adults. Looking back now I can see their approach to discipline took effort, time and dedication. To me, spanking seems to be a short cut to an immediate result. It's almost like cleaning a room by sweeping things under the carpet. Sure the room appears clean at a glance, but the dirt is still there. Spanking forces the desired result in the child creating the illusion the child is exhibiting good behavior. I don't believe it is very effective in teaching the child why a certain behavior is desired thus increasing the chance the child never learns to be good because he or she understands the greater concept of good but rather only to avoid punishment.

I think if parents put in the effort required to raise kids with proper discipline and teach them how to respect others, there is no need for spanking or any physical punishment. The key is utilizing and implementing all those other ways to teach them from the very beginning.