We've all heard about pro smackers and non prosmackers when it comes to kids.

[Crazylegs]

From what I've gathered I think this is usually from parents that may have been beaten hard when they were younger and do not want to inflict this on their kids, or by soft or politically correct parents.
What would you do if your kid was not this this beautiful bundle of cotton wool that made the occasional *Boo boo* and was in fact a feral crazy swearing nightmare the kind you see on supernanny. Would you then still stand by the no smacking rule even as your kid tries to assaut you with swearwords and weapons or would you then agree that a smack on the hand could be beneficial in restoring order?

[OrcadianOil]

jake,
No, mate, I was not writing something myself, I was using an extract line from a poem which has found its way, metaphorically, into common usage. Hence, not actually written by yours truly, just "borrowed", but thanks for the flattering remark that I could have been so talented as the individual who had coined that poem.

My modesty compels me to blush at the thought!

[jake-the-peg]

Yes it was actually written as a satire on beating children

Well I wasn't beaten as a child and neither were my kids so that proves it!

No? well it's as good as the personal anacdotal "evidence" earlier - well maybe we can solve this by looking at what people who really understand the issues have to say

Reseach from the psycological bulletin:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.n...52/pdf/v083p00196.pdf

The use of corporal punishment is associated with significant increases in physical abuse, long term antisocial behaviour, and later as an adult the abuse of a partner or child, as well as significant decreases in beneficial outcomes including moral internalisation,
conscience, and empathy

That empathy point is exactly what I was (rather sarcastically ) referring to about people posting on the death penalty earlier.

"I was smacked it did me no harm" - well maybe they're not the best judge of that

[stonekicker]

never, ever hit my 17 year old son who is (and i am amazed) well behaved, respectful and polite. i have always been honest, fair and consistent about the standards of behaviour i have expected of him and i think that is the key to successful parenting. considering my mum beat the hell out of me until i was 16 and escaped the family home, became a tearaway and had loads of problems until i met mr kicker and got up the duff at 17 myself. considering the mess it could have been, we've been together for 18 years, are happy and have a great kid. not many people in my shoes could say that...x

[joeluke]

It never did me any harm

[jackthehat]

^ Are you quite sure about that............?

[joeluke]

^ what's your point

[jackthehat]

^ I'm sure you are intelligent enough to work it out for yourself.

[joeluke]

but I'm obviously not, need an explanation

or do you not have one?

[joeluke]

(taps his foot impatiently as he waits)

[Greedyfly]

I was smacked as a child but only by my mother, my father was not allowed to raise a hand to me because she knew he would take it too far!

It was the threat of being smacked that was enough for me to not misbehave most times. I never plan to have children but if I unfortunately did and they were naughty I would not be opposed to a tap on the bum!

I would like to point out that I have grown up fine and have never thought of my being smacked as abuse.

[sherrardk]

Myself and my husband agreed that we would be non-smackers (having been hit as children - and I mean hit). We have five children and they are often complimented on how well they behave and how polite they are when we are out and about (they do behave very well considering there are so many of them and they are quite young). I can only presume that nightmare kids become that way because they are allowed to get away with murder when they are little and then they turn into uncontrollable monsters when they are older.

[Greedyfly]

As a child I would never dream of acting up or asking for something... I was well behaved and had manners because that is how I was brought up. My sister was a little more spoiled and there for was more trouble as a child. My mother will admit.

[Crazylegs]

Well a good response by all involved.