Smacking Children

[EWS]

Is it wrong to smack children

[treaclefight]

when my eldest was two she thought is was amusing to get a reaction out of us by putting her finger in the elctric sockets, third time she got a smack, which im sure was less harmful than an electric shock. i dont like smacking, but sometimes the short sharp shock is necessary just to create a 'full stop' to whatever misdemeanour is going on. Having said that it doesnt need to be hard and 99% of the time a loud 'oi' will get the childs attention...then have you follow it up with the rational bit coz a smack on it's own says nothing constructive. When smacking came up in the news last time, there seemed to be a notion that a child should only be smacked after a certain age, ( i think 7) and that i had to disagree with, 7 year olds and older are rational and can be dealt with in better ways, a smack is just pain and humiliation to them, but an 2 year old often isn't even listening let alone understanding, that's the only stage where i think a smack can be helpful.

[whiskygalore]

No, I don't think so - I was smacked as a kid and I think I was better for it. Not the most traumatic form of punishment, it's over with quickly and once you're smacked that's usually the end of the matter.

Far worse is mental punishment, like not being allowed to watch Dangermouse for a whole week! See, that's the memory that sticks with me - I'll never forgive you, Mum!

[ChrisPBacon]

I think it's wrong to smack children. I've always found a well aimed punch to be much more effective.

[DavidUK]

Yes, it is wrong to use violence to make children do what you want. It teaches them that violence is the answer and it is completely unnecessary. I have two boys aged 5 and 9 and we have been able to control them and discipline them without hitting. "No smacking" does not have to mean no discipline. Let's try and reduce the amount of violence in the world.

[katiesara]

I read this question last night and debated it with myself for a while. I have a 5 year old and have never smacked him, but decided the world didn't need to know that. However walking him home from school today I witnessed one child hit another, for his mother to scream "come here, I'll hit you", and walloped the child twice. Wasn't nice to watch, and what was the lesson? Violence disciplined by violence, makes no sense to me!

[coemgen]

I have 4 kids, all boys and I have only smacked them very occaisionally like once a year if they have really really pushed me. However they are very violent with each other and they certainly don't see anyone in the family using violence against each other, so it is not learned behaviour. I think it has much more to do with them loving to watch Sumarai Jack and playstation games with fighting in. I could stop them from watching and playing them, but by that premise I would have to take away the tv too, as Tom and Jerry would definitely be out, and Coronation street without question.

[DavidUK]

So, Einstein, would hitting them with a rod be even better than smacking them? Also, you are making the assumption that many people make (both smackers and non-smackers) that you can't have strict discipline without smacking. I agree that children without discipline may turn out unruly and violent but you can be strict without hitting your kids,

[gilf]

I'm not really on either side of this discussion but I think that the general level of behaviour in this country has gone down in the last 20-30 years. People from my dads generation would never speak out of turn and would fear the police and teachers (yes OK a generalisation but not the level of disrespect shown today), although it wasnt a daily occurance just the idea that you might get the cane was enough to make you think first. How do you expect kids to react to the message we give today which is essentially, "Don't do that, but if you do theres nothing I can actually do about it". I know as a kid I was in fear of the police, but in todays society and the general lack of discipline kids just know theres very little adults can do to stop them. I think a sharp smack on the legs is 1. Painfull but not a problem long term. 2. the child learns the consequence of actions and 3. learns that the behaviour it displayed was unacceptable.

[Janetex]

My kid is 24 and I still don't know the answer to this question. I think that parents can only act as they see fit at the time and hope to get it right most times and be forgiven for any shortcomings.