Trigger Discussion - Spanking
By Jennifer
@MissDemeanor (39)
Montpelier, Ohio
June 1, 2016 8:43pm CST
So my Hubby and I were discussing spanking today and specifically spanking in schools. I went to Catholic school and my parents had to sign a release saying that if I got in trouble the school had permission to spank me. I knew they signed it. They informed me that if I didn't behave that being spanked would be a repercussion. However, it was not a first resort for most behaviors. My opinion was that most of the kids knew they could be spanked, and therefore they behaved. I think up until 8th grade I only knew a handful of kids that ever got spanked. They were ashamed. It was embarrassing.
I have two older children 18 and 16. I am currently pregnant with my last child and my Hubby's first and only. When mine were little I would spank them. Not for anything they did, but for things I felt warranted a spanking. My son was much easier than my daughter and I only recall spanking him a handful of times. My daughter wasn't much more, but she was definitely more of a challenge. Spanking was not their only discipline.
That being said, I feel my children have become respectful young adults as a result of overall parenting. I was spanked on occasion as I child. I did not like it, and my Father always was the one to do it. He would explain to me why I was being spanked and we would discuss it after. He was never angry when he spanked me.
When I think back to schooling, I felt that kids knew there was a not-so-nice consequence to their behavior and therefore acted appropriately. There was something to fear. You learned to respect those in authority. Hubby asked if we ever sent our daughter to public or private school now, would I be okay with her being spanked. He says absolutely not. I guess I am not totally against it but there would need to be certain things in place before I would allow it. However, we plan to homeschool her so this shouldn't be an issue.
What are your thoughts on spanking your children as a part of discipline?
3 people like this
4 responses
@moffittjc (121714)
• Gainesville, Florida
2 Jun 16
I was spanked as a child, and it definitely taught me many lessons, such as respecting authority, and having consequences for your actions. My dad was always the disciplinarian in our household, and if he spanked us kids, it was with his belt. Just like you mentioned, he would always discuss why the spanking was occurring, and then afterward we would talk about actions and consequences. He never did it in anger. I believe it helped me become the responsible adult I am today. I, too, spanked my children when they were little...always in love and never out of anger...and both of them seem to be growing up to be model citizens (they are both teenagers right now). And funny enough, I went to a public high school back in the 80's, and at least where I grew up spanking was still allowed and practiced in public schools...even in my high school! Can you imagine the embarrassment of getting spanked in high school! It was a very effective took to keep the teens in line and well behaved!
1 person likes this
@MissDemeanor (39)
• Montpelier, Ohio
2 Jun 16
I think so many times, there is no "fear of consequence" and as a result children test the limits even further. I would not have ever wanted to go to the high school office to be spanked, no way! Humiliating to say the least.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121714)
• Gainesville, Florida
4 Jun 16
@MissDemeanor Just the thought of getting spanked in high school kept the students in line. I think I remember one person getting spanked, and that poor guy was humiliated beyond belief, not to mention embarrassed! But if I recall correctly, he never got into any trouble ever again at school! So, yes...a very effective means of discipline!
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
3 Jun 16
I was never spanked but I was disiplined, having toys taken away, having privleges taken away and worst my mom would make the face which I learned to dread so ILwo l;d really be good as I hated that face. My dad was a country doctor and mostlynot home so mom was the one tol set the rules.I was given boundaries and knew I woul;d be in to trouble if I overstepped the boundaries I never spanked my c hildren but t hey were punished for wrong doing.
1 person likes this
@MissDemeanor (39)
• Montpelier, Ohio
6 Jun 16
That works too. I believe each child is different. My Daughter didn't respond well to anything growing up. when she got spanked, I got her attention. My son, all I had to do was give him that look and he knew he better knock it off. He was definitely my easier one of the two.
@rusty2rusty (6763)
• Defiance, Ohio
3 Jun 16
I did spank my children. Plus had other forms of discipline. Spanking was a last resort. Or if they did something really bad.
I do believe spanking is a method of discipline. As long as one does not go over board. Meaning no real marks or bruises. Using nothing but a firm hand.
I remember seeing a child while in school get the board. The man who gave it to him went over board. I decided right than and there I would never allow my children to be spanked in school.
When my oldest rode the school bus for the first time. The bus driver spanked him because he stood up. He only stood up once. It was his first time riding the bus. You bet I made a stink at the school. I know my child did wrong but someone putting their hands on my child was not warranted at all. Plus, I signed a paper not allowing anyone to do so.
@MissDemeanor (39)
• Montpelier, Ohio
6 Jun 16
Yeah, I wouldn't be happy with someone spanking my child without my permission at all! Spanking was also a very last resort in our house as well.
I remember once my children stayed with my brother and they weren't listening and he spanked them both. They were so good for me for a long time. I guess he told them that if they weren't listening to me he would spank them for me. They told me that his spankings were much different than mine.
