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Should spanking be allowed under Canadian law?

Should spanking be allowed under Canadian law? Why or why not? Is spanking ever a reasonable way to discipline a child? Let us know what you think.

Should spanking be allowed under Canadian law?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Votes: 6,004
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11:59pm 09FEB2012

The section of the Criminal Code that justifies spanking should be removed, a group of Canadian researchers says.

Spanking, as seen in this 1951 magazine ad for life insurance, used to be commonplace. Some doctors say it can't be justified.(iStock)The doctors cite research showing that children who have experienced physical punishment tend to be Read More ..gressive toward others.

Spanking is also associated with antisocial behaviour and mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and drug use.

The researchers, whose work is published in Monday's issue of the Canadian Medical Association Journal, say public health campaigns against physical punishment should be reinforced.

"Physicians can urge the federal government to remove Section 43 from the Criminal Code, which provides legal justification for the use of physical punishment, thereby undermining public health initiatives," the authors concluded.

In 2004, theSupreme Court upheld Section 43 of the Criminal Codethat allows parents and school teachers to physically discipline children in their care by using "reasonable" force.

The court set out limits for spanking including:

  • Spanking could be used against children between the ages of two and 12 years old.
  • Children could not be disciplined with an object.
  • Hits to the head would be unacceptable.
Should spanking be allowed under Canadian law? Why or why not? Is spanking ever a reasonable way to discipline a child? Let us know what you think.

Thank you, we have already counted your vote.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Votes:5,970
Comments(9)Return To PollShare This 


(This survey is not scientific. Results are based on readers' responses.)

 

The section of the Criminal Code that justifies spanking should be removed, a group of Canadian researchers says.

Spanking, as seen in this 1951 magazine ad for life insurance, used to be commonplace. Some doctors say it can't be justified. (iStock)The doctors cite research showing that children who have experienced physical punishment tend to be Read More ..gressive toward others.

Spanking is also associated with antisocial behaviour and mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and drug use.

The researchers, whose work is published in Monday's issue of the Canadian Medical Association Journal, say public health campaigns against physical punishment should be reinforced.

"Physicians can urge the federal government to remove Section 43 from the Criminal Code, which provides legal justification for the use of physical punishment, thereby undermining public health initiatives," the authors concluded.

In 2004, the Supreme Court upheld Section 43 of the Criminal Code that allows parents and school teachers to physically discipline children in their care by using "reasonable" force.

The court set out limits for spanking including:

  • Spanking could be used against children between the ages of two and 12 years old.
  • Children could not be disciplined with an object.
  • Hits to the head would be unacceptable.
Should spanking be allowed under Canadian law? Why or why not? Is spanking ever a reasonable way to discipline a child? Let us know what you think.

Thank you for voting!

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  • CanadianCRC_comstandard2012/02/09
    at 6:25 PM ET    The Canadian Children's Rights Council, along with over 400 such organizations takes the position that we eliminate spanking all together and change our criminal code.

    It should be replaced by proper parent education as part of national family friendly policy to make parents enjoy parenting more while their children have less violence in their lives. Such methods have proven to lower stress levels in parents, make parenting more enjoyable while substantially benefiting children.

    Spanking does have a proven negative effect on the development of children in many ways including damage to children's cognitive development.

    We have a section on corporal punishment and children Full of proper studies to prove it.

    Unfortunately, it's the politicians NOT doing their job in dealing with this issue that caused the Supreme Court of Canada spanking case. The judges did their best within their limited scope of legal arguments. The issue is really more than that. The politicians need to hear, in committee, from all the children's hospitals and legitimate studies which show why spanking should be eliminated in conjunction with a major public parent education campaign to show parents the proper alternatives to corporal punishment.

    Our prisons are full of adults who had terrible, violent childhoods.

    The Canadian Children's Rights Council knows that children need discipline in their lives but people that truly don't know the better way to parent wrongly equate only spanking or the threat of violent behaviour to children with discipline. Even such violence as screaming and threatening children and other such bullying can make a child become violent and use such bullying with others because that is what they have been taught by their parent    Rating319Agree???with comment (322 people agree)Disagree with comment (3 people disagree)ReplyShow 2 repliesPolicyReport abuse (0)
  • grammargeekstandard2012/02/06
    at 1:44 PM ET    Twice, I have struck my child.

    The first time he was three years old. He wrenched his hand out of mine and took off across the road without any warning, because he saw a little friend over there. He got one open-handed swat on the bum. He wasn't hurt, but he knew from my reaction that he had done something very, very bad.

    The second time, he was a big strapping sixteen year old who was giving me a mouthful of sass. Despite the fact that I'm only five foot four, he got a good hard punch in the shoulder to tell him to NEVER, EVER speak to his mother like that. The look on his face again proved to me that he got the point.

    If anybody were to tell me that I did wrong and that it was illegal, I would happily stand my ground in court.

    There's a difference between teaching a child and abusing them.     Rating83Agree???with comment (248 people agree)Disagree with comment (165 people disagree)ReplyShow 3 repliesPolicyReport abuse (0)
  • beceeingyoustandard2012/02/07
    at 1:31 AM ET    Kids are not uncontrollable because they've never been slapped.

    Kids are uncontrollable because too many parents want to be "friends" and cop out from responsible parenting.

    There is never a reason to hit anyone. Especially someone a fraction of your size and strength.    Rating47Agree???with comment (66 people agree)Disagree with comment (19 people disagree)ReplyShow 1 replyPolicyReport abuse (0)
  • silverspoonfishstandard2012/02/06
    at 3:11 PM ET    When I was at school it was the cane for boys, slipper for girls, it worked!!! Of course there was no ADD then, it was just called naughty and had an easy cure to get attention! Now it's just a bunch of excuses for naughty children and I blame the parents.    Rating22Agree???with comment (101 people agree)Disagree with comment (79 people disagree)ReplyPolicyReport abuse (0)
  • ProdManstandard2012/02/06
    at 2:05 PM ET    Millions of people will tell you that they were spanked as a child and there are no lasting negativeeffects. On the other hand though we are left with a healthy respect for authority. Is that a bad thing?

    Remove the knowledge that there are consequences for our actions and society deteriorates.     Rating22Agree???with comment (149 people agree)Disagree with comment (127 people disagree)ReplyShow 2 repliesPolicy
  • "Peoples from Societies we deem less civilized than ours look at Western Europeans and North Americans as barbaric for hitting children"

    Really? You mean like the countries where they deem honor killing to be acceptable or where women are covered from head to toe and beaten in public if they 're not submissive?

    Interesting what kids of ignorant people comment on things they have no idea about. These places you're referring to would strip us of every ounce of freedom we have if they invaded and took us over.

    Last I checked, the most obnoxious and violent kids in my school came from homes that had no bounderies or discipline, where their parents let them do whatever they wanted with no consequence.

    Yes unfortunately there are some parents that will abuse their kids but deal with them harshly and on a case by case basis...otherwise the nanny state needs to keep their noses out of other peoples' business.    Rating22Agree???with comment (75 people agree)Disagree with comment (53 people disagree)ReplyShow 1 replyPolicyReport abuse (0)
  • Sentient Humanstandard2012/02/06
    at 2:07 PM ET    While there are times a child needs to have their attention gotten, spanking should be pretty much of a last resort IMO, but certainly not banned altogether.

    Far greater harm is done by parents who yell and scream at their children...long lasting psychological damage. Today's children have grown exceedingly mouthy, which they learn from their peers whose parents are controlled by their own children. Too many parents let their children run the show and children learn very fast how to be manipulative.

    Extinguishing inappropriate behaviour is often best accomplished by simply ignoring the child's demands, but if imminent danger is a part then action needs to be, in fact, must be taken. Take the time to ask, when possible, 'What is causing the behaviour?' and ask the child 'Why are you doing this?' Treat the child with respect and insist on being treated with respect yourself. it is a balance and very important life lesson, as well as part of socialization.    Rating21Agree???with comment (73 people agree)Disagree with comment (52 people disagree)ReplyPolicyReport abuse (0)
  • qzar kstandard2012/02/06
    at 2:37 PM ET    I have spanked my 4 children. I have never beaten a single one, ever.

    There is a difference. My children do not fear me and they respect discipline and their elders.

    When I had to choose between giving a single spank to my child's bottom or them finding out that a car will indeed run them over, my spank overruled.

    When my children reached the age to understand that some actions have dangerous outcomes the spankings ended.

    I have never ever regretted the controlled spanks I gave.

    One spank = correction; anything Read More .. questionable.


    Rating21Agree???with comment (77 people agree)Disagree with comment (56 people disagree)ReplyShow 1 replyPolicyReport abuse (0)
  • fundy fossilstandard2012/02/06
    at 4:03 PM ET    I think the criminal code sets reasonable limits. I do not believe spanking is a particularly effective tool to use on a regular basis or even often but would never rule it out altogether or criminalize the very practice. What I wonder about is what sort of parenting theories and practices are yielding these toddlers with the ear drum piercing animal squeals that they display in every public place I go, the second they don't get their own way? I hear mothers saying they can't get toddlers to stop punching them or biting them, and I could tell them that both my children bit me in anger once, but it was never repeated, although my methods might Read More ..fective than PC. I also see children not capable of dealing with the word "No", ever. What a odd breed these divas are. Now there is a new generation of mothers pinned to phones and texting who ingore the presence of their children they drag along behind them. With them there is zero interaction never mind spanking, wonder how they'll turn out?    Rating21Agree???with comment (66 people agree)Disagree with comment (45 people disagree)ReplyShow 1 replyPolicyReport abuse (0)
  • Greyhame481standard2012/02/06
    at 2:54 PM ET    Spanking, when used properly, is a great way to get a kids attention to either prevent them from hurting themselves or to get them to pay attention long enough for you to discipline them.

    Properly, in my mind, means that it's used as a last resort in conjunction with other forms of punishment, it should not be done just because you are mad at the child and it should not be done later (meaning only to stop the activity you want to punish them for).

    The general problem people have with the making spanking illegal because hitting kids for any reason is bad is that it tends to actually ignore the fact that it's not hitting kids that is wrong, but abusing kids that wrong. And abuse can some from a parent without ever laying a hand on the child as well.
  • Rating21Agree???with comment (77 people agree)Disagree with comment (56 people disagree)ReplyPolicy

 

  • For the most part I believe that the government should but out of people's personal lives - except in cases of child abuse. When is spanking abuse you ask? Perhaps hard to accurately determine - but to outlaw spanking as a tool for discipline when used by a loving parent - the governemtn has gone too far and should be limited at that point. At that point the government needs to be spanked! Back into it proper place!Rating21Agree???with comment (80 people agree)Disagree with comment (59 people disagree)ReplyPolicyReport abuse (0)
  • emily87standard2012/02/06
    at 7:12 PM ET    Both my husband and I were spanked as children, and both of us are happy and (we believe) well-adjusted adults who have excellent relationships with our parents. I know that if I had not been spanked as a child I would have probably been much Read More ..bellious and less willing to listen to my parents when I became a teenager. The threat of being spanked was always much Read More .. a deterrent to misbehaving than the actual pain of the spanking was. Knowing that my parents would follow through with the discipline that they threatened helped me to respect my parents and to be obedient to them the first time that they asked.

    I knew children who weren't spanked and they were some of the worst behaved children I knew. I believe that spanking is far less psychologically harmful than some other forms of discipline (such as grounding, which I believe encourages resentment).

    That being said, there is definitely a line that needs to be drawn between "discipline" and "punishment". Spanking a child in the heat of anger can lead to abuse. Parents should never ever discipline in anger.

    People wonder why children are so badly behaved and so rebellious these days. I think that the connection can clearly be made to the fact that children aren't spanked anyRead More ...    Rating20Agree???with comment (89 people agree)Disagree with comment (69 people disagree)ReplyShow 1 replyPolicyReport abuse (0)
  • ECCAP09standard2012/02/06
    at 2:22 PM ET    I will raise my children as I see fit. Get out of my house Government of Canada.    Rating21Agree???with comment (104 people agree)Disagree with comment (83 people disagree)ReplyShow 1 replyPolicyReport abuse (0)
  • Newfie-abroadstandard2012/02/06
    at 3:25 PM ET    What a load of Horse ....hockey. !!!

    The Ministry of Families cannot keep up with kids that seem to have no discipline or respect for their parents or society.

    Open your eyes and ears and walk around the high schools........never mind the high schools try the older grade elementary schools. !!!!

    It is with no doubt that parents that use corporal punishment have FAR better results concerning social behavioral issues and school attendance by their kids.

    Society made it's bed with this issue when they said we should not spnak our kids....now "millions " of dollars maybe Read More ..e spent on kids gone arwy" and off the rails. The MFCD ( Ministry of families and child developement cannot keep up with the troubled kids).......that my friends is a fact.

    They'll legalize Pot .......but won'y let us spank the kids.......a bloody joke right enough.

    So I say to all those judges....and civil liberarians..... "go do your laundry you've spoiled or go to your room."    Rating20Agree???with comment (64 people agree)Disagree with comment (44 people disagree)ReplyPolicyReport abuse (0)
  • Kozushistandard2012/02/06
    at 5:05 PM ET    Sometimes spanking is necessary. Do you let your kids' teeth rot because they don't let you brush their teeth - ever? Do you show up to work late because your kid won't get in the car? What about if your kids want to run out on the road, play with dangerous things, beat their siblings up, et cetera? Sure, it might be nicer to get them to comply in other ways, but it's a fact that a) the other ways don't always work, and b) we don't have an unlimited amount of time and energy to devote to discipline. Putting a parent in jail for spanking their child means a) no parent to care for the child, and b) no money being brought into the home to pay for the child's needs. Also, the Read More ..ds you have, the more likely it is you will have to resort to spanking to control them. "Experts" advocating jailing parents for being parents means that they want us to have less kids. If you only have one kid, maybe you can get away with never spanking him or her, but when you have a houseful of kids, I don't think you could get through life, under normal circumstances, without using spanking - or you'd have to be especially lucky in your kids being born with very gentle, docile personalities. Or, perhaps we need to premedicate all our kids with Ritalin to make sure that they are all poisoned and enfeebled so that we never need to spank them.
    I have a Masters' degree, have an excellent career, a happy LARGE family, and I'm a law abiding citizen. I was spanked as a kid and have turned out to be an excellent Canadian citizen. I use spanking on rare occasion when absolutely necessary, and I hope the government sees the sense of NOT jailing me and giving me a criminal record for it. At least for the time being, I am protected from jail due to the Supreme Court's ruling on the issue.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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  • dragonspinstandard2012/02/07
    at 4:04 AM ET    When I saw this story on the news tonight I was horrified at the things parents are using to punish children as to not resort to spanking!

    Denying their child hockey lessons and swimming lessons was completely shocking to me. These are disciplines - and should be treated the way school is treated. You wouldn't keep your child out of school because they were bad!

    My friends daughter acted out one day, and bit my niece (both were about 6). Instead of giving her a slap on the butt, my friend cancelled her daughters dance lessons for the whole year. It was so frustrating to watch, because her daughter literally never did anything or went anywhere - and the fact that she bit her friend was a sign that something was wrong. The dance lessons may have been a very good discipline for her.

    I was spanked - even WITH objects. Most of my friends were too. We didn't commit suicide due to bullying (another odd pattern these days), and we weren't bubble wrapped and protected from life. I think we are so concerned with protecting our children from "all forms of harm" these days, that we're making them too weak to face the real world.

    The kids I know who have had aggression and substance abuse were "beaten" - not "spanked." And they were beaten for everything, rather than being spanked for something specific they did that was either dangerous or wrong.

    I believe in spanking under certain circumstances. Denying my child hockey or swim lessons (which are disciplines that encourage self confidence and fitness) seems far Read More ..aconian and brainless than slapping a child on the bum.

     Rating20Agree???with comment (66 people agree)Disagree with comment (46 people disagree)ReplyPolicyReport abuse (0)
  • Dannybear87standard2012/02/06
    at 5:52 PM ET    Section 43 of the Criminal Code(1) reads as follows:

    "Every schoolteacher, parent or person standing in the place of a parent is justified in using force by way of correction toward a pupil or child, as the case may be, who is under his care, if the force does not exceed what is reasonable under the circumstances."

    When I was bad I was Disciplined it set me in thr right path and i learned my lesson. Kids these days need punishment there's way Read More .. crime due to parents not caring about there kids. Punishment isn't the problem Health care providers Parent's are.. Kids having Kids 15,16,17 and 18 year olds becoming mother's and father's and not being able to handle it. I was raised with the best parents a kid could ask for supportive of everything i did except the bad and now i'm on my way to achieving Read More ..als. I work hard and stay on the right track because i know wrong from right like my punishment and parents taught me.

     Rating18Agree???with comment (66 people agree)Disagree with comment (48 people disagree)ReplyPolicyReport abuse (0)
  • LauraHallidaystandard2012/02/06
    at 3:27 PM ET    Within reason. Always. I see little point in attempting to reason with children who have not yet learned to reason. A bit of immediate feedback can go a long way.

    Personally, I'm appalled at the notion of sitting still and being quiet ("timeouts") as punishment...    Rating20Agree???with comment (66 people agree)Disagree with comment (46 people disagree)ReplyShow 2 repliesPolicyReport abuse (0)
  • RobertZwickerstandard2012/02/07
    at 9:51 AM ET    as much as I hate to say it if you look at the way our younger people disrespect teachers and the language used in our schools , you never heard or seen that when the the strap was still allowed , not saying we should go back to that. but just stating that just knowledge the consequence for your action could hurt made a big difference .
     Rating20Agree???with comment (37 people agree)Disagree with comment (17 people disagree)ReplyShow 1 replyPolicyReport abuse (0)
  • RichieBstandard2012/02/07
    at 9:37 AM ET    Sometimes kids get into a state where they are grossly misbehaving, they've stopped listening to reason, and they need to be reminded of what they're doing.

    A sharp swat is very effective. Here are my rules:

    1. Never in anger. Control your own emotions first.
    2. Always on the bum. Big fleshy muscle to absorb the impact, no chance of injury.
    3. Support the hip. Don't let it swing freely and get injured.
    4. Open hand. Skin sting is what you're after, not force. Lots of effect, no chance of injury.
    5. Use sparingly.
    6. Clear case. Kid has to make the connection between their own misbehavior and the swat.

    Once its over, it's over. Let the wounded pride heal, and then rejoin the group. The swat is just to bring them back to reason; you still love them and you still forgive their sins.
  • Rating20Agree???with comment (41 people agree)Disagree with comment (21 people disagree)ReplyShow 2 repliesPolicy

 

 

 

 

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  • Harpoonedstandard2012/02/08
    at 10:51 AM ET    Sometimes parents spank because they are at a loss for what else to do. It is worthwhile to attend parenting classes, or to research different ways to discipline. A good discipline system requires some creativity, patience, and consistent effort.     Rating17Agree???with comment (24 people agree)Disagree with comment (7 people disagree)ReplyPolicyReport abuse (0)
  • beceeingyoustandard2012/02/07
    at 10:34 AM ET    @dragonspin:

    There is nothing shocking about being a responsible parent who uses effective discipline without physical violence. Find out what is their 'currency' and withhold it, requiring them to earn them back. I know, I know. This isn't as easy as a few swift slaps (anywhere from 3 to ten according to posters here, with the ultimate goal being "skin sting" apparently). Oh, and hitting is always, always in the name of "love".

    Hockey lessons and swimming lessons are privileges. So is television, computer time, cellphones, allowances, going out, having friends over - and many other amenities taken for granted by kids whose parents are too lazy and ignorant to follow through, preferring to hit them and consider their responsibility immediately exonerated. All that teaches is deceit - as in how not to get caught out next time.

    How many times do you think a teenager needs hitting, if a toddler only needs three slaps?

    Anyone who keeps a child out of school for any reason other than illness or emergency and you will find a truant officer knocking on your door, by the way.    Rating12Agree???with comment (31 people agree)Disagree with comment (19 people disagree)ReplyShow 1 replyPolicyReport abuse (0)
  • MATUGAstandard2012/02/08
    at 2:19 PM ET    To all those people who eschew negotiation and resort to spanking as a teaching tool: we do not know what it would be like to live in a world where corporal punishment was not the first resort.


    It is the older generations that are still teach war rather than negotiation.

    Children who are negotiated with might learn the concept that at all conflicts/wars end in some type of negotiation.

    Children raised without spanking and bullying might become the first generation that will be extremely at finding commonalities andy refuse to expend so much of the GNP on warring and imprisoning those that are weaker than they are. Negotiation and peaceful conflict resolution is what parents teach, when they do not hit their children.

    Those who have been raised in the past, where it was socially acceptable and deemed almost sacrilegious to not use corporal violence against children, are the ones who advocate extreme measures against others who are seen to be in a weak position.

    Many comments show that a lot of people are adverse to positive changes. They still want to blame and severely mistreat through not providing necessities of life to everyone. And, by thinking it is fine to deny children, wives, workers, homeless, disabled prisoners and anyone in a weak position all of the rights due a Canadian citizen.

    People who managed to survive physical, emotional or psychological abuse think that they are better people and know that it is right to hurt the weakest members of society.

    In fact, the scariest part of this story is that people who have been erroneously taught to se bullying, violence and aggression often rise to positions of power where they endanger peaceful and peace-loving others. The only hope we have is that a preponderance of parents refuse to use spanking.    Rating12Agree???with comment (31 people agree)Disagree with comment (19 people disagree)ReplyPolicyReport abuse (0)
  • Katetbaystandard2012/02/08
    at 11:49 AM ET    Spanking has been pooh poohed for decades ... and we seemed to have raised a generation who is now "warming up" to the death penalty and the use of torture.

    Maybe the best form of punishment would be to force kids to watch old Norman Lear shows. I know Archie Bunker and Maude sure changed the "authoritarian problem" in many households back in the day.

    Ashamed to be Canadian.     Rating12Agree???with comment (16 people agree)Disagree with comment (4 people disagree)ReplyPolicyReport abuse (0)
  • voice56standard2012/02/06
    at 4:04 PM ET    Well, you know, after the age of 18, it seems kind of silly to ask permission for one.    Rating11Agree???with comment (16 people agree)Disagree with comment (5 people disagree)ReplyPolicy

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  • Hayden71standard2012/02/06
    at 3:09 PM ET    "I'm happy to see that nobody has yet quoted Proverbs or Ephesians, but it is inevitable that someone on the comment board will eventually use Religion as an excuse to justify physically disciplining their children."

    My friend someone doesn't have to use any biblical quotes to justify correction seeing that most who have posted on this story don't even read the bible...it's called "common sense".

    That being said, pretty sad that you obviously have an ax to grind with anyone who believes in God regardless of what they think of spanking.    Rating7Agree???with comment (27 people agree)Disagree with comment (20 people disagree)ReplyPolicyReport abuse (0)
  • chillinginMBstandard2012/02/08
    at 9:52 AM ET    The parents that subscribe to the mantra of letting kids do whatever they want, whenever they want, with no regard for anyone but themselves, without consequence for fear something may some day scar them is the main contributing factor to the why there are so many nasty little sociopathic misfits running amuck these days.    Rating6Agree???with comment (24 people agree)Disagree with comment (18 people disagree)ReplyShow 1 replyPolicyReport abuse (0)
  • ACommonTaterstandard2012/02/08
    at 1:05 PM ET    "I don't think it is possible for my generation to mess things up as badly as the ones before..."

    Don't count on that...

    Remember, each new generation is essentially the sum of their parents mistakes. Sometimes these mistakes are real woppers --like teaching bigotry-- but for the most part they are subtle, long term things that produce the mindsets of their children.

    Also remember that unless you make a very careful study of history, it is very likely your grand parents remember a world that is very different than today. (eg. 90% of current technology evolved when I was a young adult... my parents never saw it.) Noting those differences is an important part of understanding life as it is... Can you imagine life without television? My parents lived it.

    The world we leave for our kids is different than the one left to us... none of us really knows what life was like before we were born. We can read about it, we can listen to our grandparents, but none of us has the actual experience... thus no basis for comparison and each generation makes it's own set of mistakes.

    Trust me... you will make your own mistakes and, eventually, your grandkids will blame you for it.



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  • ANGELAE33standard2012/02/07
    at 2:29 PM ET    I was spanked as a child. I am not hostile, or angry,or fearful as a result. I learned to behave myself and listened better to my parents because of it. These parents who are against spanking are the ones raising the kids today who are beyond control. Never before have I seen so many kids who run their parents lives, and talk to them in a way that makes ME want to slap them. These are the kids that are praised constantly, (god forbid we give the kids any criticism-they might actually TRY to do better at something) these are the kids who are babysat by the television, and handed their over-priced toys without any work. Parents today should embrace a little Read More .. the 50's mentality for child raising. Spanking, when used for discipline, does not hurt your child, aside from a sore bottom and a little wounded pride. Catering to your child's every whim and want, does. Instead of trying to "give them everything you never had" stop and think. Did actually having to work for something really hurt you? Throwing monstrous temper tantrums do not merrit reward, they earn a smack on the butt. Maybe if they learned a little thing called how to discipline your child, parents wouldnt be afraid of their 15 year olds.    Rating4Agree???with comment (44 people agree)Disagree with comment (40 people disagree)ReplyShow 1 replyPolicyReport abuse (0)
  • coniferblackstandard2012/02/09
    at 1:42 PM ET    Have they ever done a study on what happens to kids who are not spanked? Do they all turn out non violent?    Rating3Agree???with comment (13 people agree)Disagree with comment (10 people disagree)ReplyPolicy
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  • joanannastandard2012/02/07
    at 6:17 PM ET     A lot of these comments seem to smash the current generation, which I am a part of, and for all the comments I would like to reply:
    Remember when you were a teenager? Then you will remember that there is always the older generation sitting back saying how things are going to the dogs and kids aren't raised how they are used too.
    No matter how "grossly misbehaving" ' bubble wrapped" disrespectful" "badly behaved" extra we are, I don't think it is possible for my generation to mess things up as badly as the ones before...
    Thanks for the broken plant :)
     Rating0Agree???with comment (20 people agree)Disagree with comment (20 people disagree)ReplyShow 3 repliesPolicyReport abuse (0)
  • accountiblestandard2012/02/07
    at 7:07 PM ET    Discipline is required. Spanking can be construed many ways but, it is not and never has been hitting nor abuse...pain is not a factor of spanking, but attention getting is.

    We cannot over rule customs, beliefs and parenting with tight laws. Just like we wouldn't want the government in our bedrooms....correct?

    Quit trying to dictate to all and regulate 'everything'.

     Rating-4Agree???with comment (26 people agree)Disagree with comment (30 people disagree)ReplyPolicyReport abuse (0)
  • kmcleannnstandard2012/02/07
    at 10:20 AM ET    It's a sad day for this country when people think its acceptable to hurt a child instead of raising it properly. It's a lot easier to hit someone than to resolve a real conflict. Spanking is immature and irresponsible behaviour on the part of the parents, and parents need to quit copping out by just hitting their kids and start teaching them how life really is. If you're upset with your boss or teacher, do you hit them?    Rating-9Agree???with comment (29 people agree)Disagree with comment (38 people disagree)ReplyShow 3 repliesPolicyReport abuse (0)
  • salmacisstandard2012/02/07
    at 10:02 AM ET    The idea that the next generation will be worse than the current is not a new one. If Hesiod had been right, if Horace had been right, by now we'd all be cannibalistic monsters living in caves. I personally don't think spanking is necessary. I have spanked in the past, and have been spanked myself. We'll all be ok, everyone. Don't worry. Here's the lines from Horace:

    Damnosa quid non imminuit dies?
    Aetas parentum, peior avis, tulit
    Nos nequiores mox daturos
    Progeniem vitiosiorem.

    What does ravaging time not ruin?
    The age of our fathers, worse than the one before,
    Brought forth ourselves, worse men than our fathers,
    Who will beget offspring Read More ..cious still.

    Horace, Odes 3.6.45--48.
     Rating-12Agree???with comment (2 people agree)Disagree with comment (14 people disagree)ReplyPolicyReport abuse (0)
  • johnhopestandard2012/02/09
    at 12:58 PM ET    I believe those who are against spanking are very wrong in their assertion spanking causes a child to be Read More ..gressive or causes mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and drug use.

    I am 65 and when I was a child of about 6 years old, one Sunday morning while my parents were asleep I took a candle and some matches to defrost the ice around the edge of my bedroom windows. Suddenly the curtains caught fire and I had to run and awaken my parents to tell them my curtains were on fire. My parents worked feverishly like a water brigade to extinguish the fire. My father took me over his knee, took down my pajamas and really warmed my fanny with his bare hand. Believe me, I never played with matches again! If we misbehaved at school, we were sent to the principal's office to get the strap, usually on the hands and sent home with a note. We dreaded the walk home because we knew what was waiting for us at home. I have never been aggressive and I have never used drugs nor do I have mental issues.

    When my daughter was 7 years old, she and her two male cousins stole candy and potato chips from the corner store. When I got home and found out about it, I gave her behind a good spanking and sent the cousins home. I called my brother-in-law to tell him about their escapade and he was angry I spanked my daughter. Well, my daughter is married and they have two well behaved children because if they misbehave they get swatted on their behind. She has never stolen again and doesn't have a mean streak in and is a well adjusted women. She works as a manager for a major chain store. The two cousins, on the other hand have been in and out of prison for various crimes including assault, armed robbery and drug possession! I rest my case!
    Rating-13Agree???with comment (12 people agree)Disagree with comment (25 people disagree)ReplyShow 2 repliesPolicy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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  • sazookystandard2012/02/08
    at 12:38 PM ET    Only registered socialists should be allowed to spank.. They care so much more than others and naturally spank with compassion.. The only snag is that registry thing ....................    Rating-16Agree???with comment (4 people agree)Disagree with comment (20 people disagree)ReplyPolicyReport abuse (0)
  • The_Scrutinizerstandard2012/02/08
    at 1:30 PM ET    Nature has provided us with a wonderful system for managing & avoiding dangerous behavior. This is called the pain system. We would be foolish indeed not to use this to help prepare our offspring to face the world. Humans are all born as completely self centered PRs, after which they learn socializing behavior...supposedly. We all must learn that there are limits to behavior. The lucky ones learn this while very young & learn it relatively easily if helped along by a tiny amount of pain when necessary. Unfortunately, the unlucky ones don't learn this until the outside world teaches the lesson much Read More ..rshly, often with fatal consequences.Rating-16Agree???with comment (12 people agree)Disagree with comment (28 people disagree)ReplyShow 2 repliesPolicyReport abuse (0)
  • Gian Mariestandard2012/02/07
    at 10:18 PM ET    A child will need to be reprimanded occasionally because they are a child and exploring, it seems mostly to see how far they can push mom or dad before they get into trouble. The biggest mistake parents do is discipline a child in public, would you like to be disciplined by your boss in front of all your peers or in the mall somewhere in public and if he does how do you feel, the boss should take you in his office and say what ever he needs to say. Not only does it embarrass the child but it really makes the parent look like the worst parent in the world and most seem to be proud of that, too ignorant to realize what they look like to the general public. The kid should be disciplined in private, if it takes a smack on the bum so be it, every situation is different, I see a lot of bleeding hearts comment and I would guess they never even had children by their comments.     Rating-17Agree???with comment (15 people agree)Disagree with comment (32 people disagree)ReplyShow 2 repliesPolicyReport abuse (0)
  • Alan1112standard2012/02/06
    at 2:48 PM ET    Would be parents need an education about parenting, and not everyone should have a right to parent just because they have the biological ability to produce a child. Too often it is assumed that parents have the best interests of their children in mind, even when there is obvious child abuse. Spanking becomes beating all too quickly when emotions become involved.Rating-19Agree???with comment (16 people agree)Disagree with comment (35 people disagree)ReplyPolicyReport abuse (0)
  • beceeingyoustandard2012/02/07
    at 1:36 AM ET    @elysoune

    "I think people who say No to Spanking have either no children, or have kids that are now out of control. "


    It is responsible parents who say no to spanking. Cowards and bullies hit others for a quick fix to alleviate their own shortcomings.

    It is a lot more difficult to teach children than to smack them.

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  • sazookystandard2012/02/09
    at 12:56 PM ET    Socialism will eventually prevail and any punishment will be given by the state ..


    In an ideal socialist state the ONLY responsibility of the parents would be conception and childbirth...


    Rating-27Agree???with comment (3 people agree)Disagree with comment (30 people disagree)ReplyPolicyReport abuse (0)
  • AlexMurdochstandard2012/02/06
    at 2:40 PM ET    I'm happy to see that nobody has yet quoted Proverbs or Ephesians, but it is inevitable that someone on the comment board will eventually use Religion as an excuse to justify physically disciplining their children.     Rating-27Agree???with comment (19 people agree)Disagree with comment (46 people disagree)ReplyPolicyReport abuse (0)
  • Son Of Kryptonstandard2012/02/09
    at 11:10 AM ET    If I did something wrong and the consequences were up to my dad, I'd get a touch of spanking. If up to my mom, I got sent to my room, couldn't play with friends, take out the new bike for a week, ect (but was never barred from attending my nights of organized sports)
    Frankly, both methods got the message in my head: "that sucked, I shouldn't do something to cause that again."
    I don't think I grew up any worse for wear due to a touch of spanking; it was probably Read More ..fective than the alternative during days when it was raining or the like and I didn't want to go outside anyways.    Rating-29Agree???with comment (15 people agree)Disagree with comment (44 people disagree)ReplyPolicyReport abuse (0)
  • spicoli1991standard2012/02/09
    at 12:12 PM ET    I spank my children when they do something they know is grossly wrong AND when it involves premeditation. I have only spanked them a few times, but they have not forgotten why there were spanked or that they can expect to be spanked again for subsequent premeditated gross misbehavior. We tell each other we love each other daily so there is no long-term resentment. I observe children misbehaving almost every day and parents not doing anything. These kids are actually pushing the boundaries looking for limits and they don't respect their permissive parents. They are the ones who grow up lacking social skills and end up in trouble with the law, drugs, or mental issues. Sorry for the big words, if you critisize this post you must also be able to use big words.    Rating-31Agree???with comment (14 people agree)Disagree with comment (45 people disagree)ReplyShow 1 replyPolicyReport abuse (0)
  • whiners are usstandard2012/02/09
    at 9:25 AM ET    "Physicians can urge the federal government to remove Section 43 from the Criminal Code, which provides legal justification for the use of physical punishment, thereby undermining public health initiatives," the authors concluded.
    ------------------------------------
    Let's see... would that be the same group that thinks is wrong to spank but it's OK to drug kids into submission with drugs like Ritalin? Who do you think funds these studies and supports the medical profession? Right, the drug companies.

  • Follow the money.    Rating-32Agree???with comment (14 people agree)Disagree with comment (46 people disagree)ReplyShow 2 repliesPolicy

 

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  • TimothyRichesstandard2012/02/06
    at 3:07 PM ET    If I ever see a parent striking a child, I will instantly do the same to them. I realize I will be committing an offence and probably receive a jail sentence for doing so, but the paradoxical effect will be well worth it. The word 'aggravated' will most definitely appear in the ruling. The only real difference between my actions and the parent's would be the age of the victim.    Rating-66Agree???with comment (27 people agree)Disagree with comment (93 people disagree)ReplyShow 1 replyPolicyReport abuse (0)
  • johohostandard2012/02/08
    at 1:57 AM ET    I think anyone who sees children as innocents fail to grasp reality. Within days they learn how to manipulate their environments...and that means you. People are governed by self-interest, (and that also means greed) and from birth have varying degrees of this trait. All we can do as parents is modify the traits that they are born with. We can try to teach an aggressive child to be less so, a greedy child to consider sharing, a passive child to be Read More ..sertive, a fearful child to take minor risks, but we are never fully able to remove those personality traits they are born with or install those Read More ..ceptable . Unfortunately my belief also extends to political personality. A conservative is BORN that way as are those with less aggressive selfishness....hence other political personalities. I'm convinced i'm right with this point of view. Spanking does not warp a child, if used judiciously . We have 3.5 million years of proof that it is not harmful. It provides a slight incentive to stop the unwanted behaviour, which is never inflicted until several warnings were issued. Repeated warnings without consequence encourages diobedience. I believe a parent should avoid it , if possible, but use it when necessary. Children are not really capable of rationality. Rational thought is acquired through maturity.    Rating-71Agree???with comment (20 people agree)Disagree with comment (91 people disagree)ReplyShow 2 repliesPolicyReport abuse (0)
  • Belvadeerstandard2012/02/06
    at 2:10 PM ET    Any reasonable parents would convince their kid they're doing something wrong by teaching them properly, not hitting their child, children can feel pain as well, it's abuse, plain and simple.    Rating-73Agree???with comment (41 people agree)Disagree with comment (114 people disagree)ReplyShow 2 repliesPolicyReport abuse (0)
  • ChrisSteffensenstandard2012/02/06
    at 3:37 PM ET    Spanking is assualt and a form of violence. We don't condone it when adults hit each other and we should not condone child spanking if we are to teach them that they are equals.     Rating-73Agree???with comment (27 people agree)Disagree with comment (100 people disagree)ReplyShow 5 repliesPolicyReport abuse (0)
  • Scooterishstandard2012/02/06
    at 4:55 PM ET    I am sorry. Spanking children is also known as hitting. There is no difference. I was spanked as a child at home and in public and all that I learned was to be afraid of my parents. I felt shame and humiliation. Did it change my behaviour? No! Was I a bad kid? No! Spanking is not a form of love. It is a form of anger, pure and simple. Should it be considered criminal? No. Time outs for adults? Yes!    Rating-79Agree???with comment (32 people agree)Disagree with comment (111 people disagree)ReplyPolicy

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Don't Spank

Canadian Paediatric Society - Spanking

Don't Spank - Canadian Paediatric Society

Effective discipline for children

Reaffirmed: February 1, 2014

Principal author(s)

P Nieman, S Shea; Canadian Paediatric Society, Community Paediatrics Committee

Paediatric Child Health 2004;9(1):37-41

The word discipline means to impart knowledge and skill - to teach. However, it is often equated with punishment and control. There is a great deal of controversy about the appropriate ways to discipline children, and parents are often confused about effective ways to set limits and instill self-control in their child.

In medical and secular literature, there is great diversity of opinion about the short-term and long-term effects of various disciplinary methods, especially the use of disciplinary spanking. This statement reviews the issues concerning childhood discipline and offers practical guidelines for physicians to use in counselling parents about effective discipline.

The Canadian Paediatric Society recommends that physicians take an anticipatory approach to discipline, including asking questions about techniques used in the home. Physicians should actively counsel parents about discipline and should strongly discourage the use of spanking.

Corporal Punishment Damaging to Children

ABC News USA - Spanking children Leads to aggression

Spanking May Lead to Aggression Later in Life

ABC TV, USA
07 February, 2012

Physical punishment of children, such as spanking, is increasingly linked with long-term adverse consequences, researchers wrote.

An analysis of research conducted since the 1990 adoption of the UN's Convention on the Rights of the Child suggests that no studies have found positive consequences of physical punishment, according to Joan Durrant of the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, and Ron Ensom of the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario in Ottawa.

While some studies have found little effect either way, most research has uncovered a range of negative outcomes, including increased aggression and later delinquency, Durrant and Ensom wrote online in CMAJ.

The clinical implication, they suggested, is that doctors who are familiar with the research can help parents find more constructive ways of providing discipline.

"In doing so, physicians strengthen child well-being and parent-child relationships at the population level," they wrote.

They noted that as recently as 1992, physical punishment of children was widely accepted, thought of as distinct from abuse, and considered "appropriate" as a way of eliciting desired behavior.

But research under way at that time was beginning to draw links between physical punishment and aggression in childhood, later delinquency, and spousal assault.