Spanking children

[the_std]

You are entitled to your opinion. However, an opinion with no experience in the matter isn't worth very much.

That's something else you said. But everyone on this board has experience with this topic, seeing as how they were all raised somehow and have experience with being disciplined.

Saying that someone's opinions aren't worth very much is what people are objecting to. No one said you told these people to shut the fuck up.

Although, my opinion is that every opinion has validity, because we all come from different experiences and every issue needs to be seen from as many sides as possible. Especially on this topic. There are so many different methods of discipline that non-parents can see and interact with discipline all the time, therefore rendering their opinions valid.

[Zyanya]

And yet your assertation that only someone who has borne a child can have a valid opinion on spanking is not a strawman? I would beg to differ. If you've noticed, I point out the ludicrousness of some statements by drawing parallels to other situations. Just because they don't agree with your opinion doesn't mean that they don't get to hold that opinion. Stick with making your case in a way that makes sense rather than denigrating what other people have to say.

Hint - Try reading my posts.

This being what I actually said -

Nontheless, it is interesting to note the strong tendency of parents who raise good kids to be supportive of the act of spanking a child.

Not 'if you have no children you should shut the f up.', as you seem to think I said.

[AFPheonix]

Ladies and gentlemen, the above is what is known as a 'strawman'.

See, it is easy to do research and gain experience. If you haven't ever had responsibility for children though, then you lack any pertinent knowledge. Just like if all you know about the military is what a certain talk radio stations says, your opinion on that is pretty worthless as well.

We all remember childhood in funny ways. I cited an example of such earlier.

But when someone is saying something ridiculous like 'spanking is abusive and never works', it's generally the same inexperience that would lead someone to saying something ridiculous like 'people join the military because they get a hard-on at the thought of killing someone' or 'abortions are fun and some women have them 4 times a year'. It's just incredibly toooooooo obvious the person has no idea what they are talking about and thus their opinions should be taken with a grain of salt.

And yet your assertation that only someone who has borne a child can have a valid opinion on spanking is not a strawman? I would beg to differ. If you've noticed, I point out the ludicrousness of some statements by drawing parallels to other situations. Just because they don't agree with your opinion doesn't mean that they don't get to hold that opinion. Stick with making your case in a way that makes sense rather than denigrating what other people have to say.

[protege]

Also, lack of discipline is the main cause people behave in that lovely SC manner we all come to know and love. How many times have you been in public and heard kids talking back to their parents in tones that would have got us smacked by our parents? Or just seen kids out of control in general to the point where you wonder what's wrong with the parents? Lack of discipline leads to the "my widdle pwecious" syndrome where kids are led to believe they can do no wrong, which leads to obnoxious jerk adults that we end up having to face at CS jobs.

I was spanked when I was a kid, and I turned out fine

I've talked about my similarly-aged cousin before on CS. When she was much younger, her parents let her do whatever she wanted, and couldn't understand why she was such a spoiled bitch. They bought her silence with all sorts of shiny things.

She was only a bitch to me once. Why? Simple, I smacked the shit out of her when we were 4 or 5. I told her not to hit me, she did...and I clocked her in the face as hard as I could. Haven't had a problem with her since--she's abrasive to everyone else *but* me. Can't imagine why...

[DesignFox]

That is an incredibly dangerous place to smack, especially with an adult-sized hand on a child-sized face.

meh. My parents didn't do that when I was a toddler. That was when I got older. Should have been clearer, I guess.

My point was that a smack with a ruler on the knuckles seems more damaging than a smack on the butt. On a little kid you run less risk of breaking something by smacking them on the fanny.

It's just my opinion on WHY things are done that way.

[Zyanya]

Well then. Anyone who posts political opinions without actually having spent time in Congress or Parlaiment doesn't have a worthwhile opinion.

Anyone who has an opinion on the war without working in the military or in the Pentagon doesn't have a worthwhile opinion.

Anyone who has an opinion on gun control who doesn't own a gun doesn't have a worthwhile opinion.

Anyone who has an opinion on abortion without a functional uterus doesn't have a worthwhile opinion, according to you.

Ladies and gentlemen, the above is what is known as a 'strawman'.

See, it is easy to do research and gain experience. If you haven't ever had responsibility for children though, then you lack any pertinent knowledge. Just like if all you know about the military is what a certain talk radio stations says, your opinion on that is pretty worthless as well.

We all remember childhood in funny ways. I cited an example of such earlier.

But when someone is saying something ridiculous like 'spanking is abusive and never works', it's generally the same inexperience that would lead someone to saying something ridiculous like 'people join the military because they get a hard-on at the thought of killing someone' or 'abortions are fun and some women have them 4 times a year'. It's just incredibly toooooooo obvious the person has no idea what they are talking about and thus their opinions should be taken with a grain of salt.

[AFPheonix]

It has its place in a parent's toolbox. Some kids may need it, some may not. Some may be motivated better in other ways, some may need spanking as a motivation at times. Personally, I really REALLY didn't like getting swatted so I was mostly well behaved to avoid getting it. Well, that and Mom was good at instilling a strong sense of guilt into all of us
As long as it's not physically harmful, it's fine.

[anriana]

I've seen firsthand the difference between spanking/disciplining a child and not. A certain member of my family has two kids, the older kid was disciplined by his father, and the younger was not due to his parents getting a divorce. The older kid has a wife and three kids, and a successful career while the younger kid still lives at home (he's 25 now), has no job, and has no motivation to get a job since mommy still babies him.

I know it's not scientific research, but having known both guys for over 10 years it's very clear that the younger son is the way he is because his mother never put any discipline into him.

My wife works in a shelter for teenage boys and pretty much all the kids there (except the ones who have mental issues) are there because there was no discipline at home. These are the so called "bad kids" and she's said more than once that all these kids needed was a smack on the ass when they were younger and they probably wouldn't be at her shelter now.

Also, lack of discipline is the main cause people behave in that lovely SC manner we all come to know and love. How many times have you been in public and heard kids talking back to their parents in tones that would have got us smacked by our parents? Or just seen kids out of control in general to the point where you wonder what's wrong with the parents? Lack of discipline leads to the "my widdle pwecious" syndrome where kids are led to believe they can do no wrong, which leads to obnoxious jerk adults that we end up having to face at CS jobs.

And I can write many, many examples of children who were spanked and turned out poorly or who were not and turned out fine.


As far as whether or not I have children, how is that relevant? I was a child myself five or six years ago and my brother is still a child in my parents' eyes. I was in a school that administered corporal punishment eight years ago. Is only the opinion of a spanker relevant here?

A rap across the knuckles would be damn painful...

Is that not the point?

but if I was fresh, or talked back, I got a swat across the mouth.

That is an incredibly dangerous place to smack, especially with an adult-sized hand on a child-sized face.

[CancelMyService]

I've seen firsthand the difference between spanking/disciplining a child and not. A certain member of my family has two kids, the older kid was disciplined by his father, and the younger was not due to his parents getting a divorce. The older kid has a wife and three kids, and a successful career while the younger kid still lives at home (he's 25 now), has no job, and has no motivation to get a job since mommy still babies him.

I know it's not scientific research, but having known both guys for over 10 years it's very clear that the younger son is the way he is because his mother never put any discipline into him.

My wife works in a shelter for teenage boys and pretty much all the kids there (except the ones who have mental issues) are there because there was no discipline at home. These are the so called "bad kids" and she's said more than once that all these kids needed was a smack on the ass when they were younger and they probably wouldn't be at her shelter now.

Also, lack of discipline is the main cause people behave in that lovely SC manner we all come to know and love. How many times have you been in public and heard kids talking back to their parents in tones that would have got us smacked by our parents? Or just seen kids out of control in general to the point where you wonder what's wrong with the parents? Lack of discipline leads to the "my widdle pwecious" syndrome where kids are led to believe they can do no wrong, which leads to obnoxious jerk adults that we end up having to face at CS jobs.

[powerboy]

I have no children, that I am aware off. But I am for it. If the child acts up, then they should get a spanking. I was spanked once by one of my grandparents. And you know what, I learned my lesson. I was a good son and so is my brother.

I believe that it should be a few swats on the fannie. and also it depends on what the child did. Now if the child asked a question and the child got a beat down for it. Then yeah, that would be abuse.

[Dreamstalker]

I'm for spanking, if done properly and not as a catchall solution. I was swatted a couple times as a pup...I was an odd child and sometimes talking didn't work or I would quickly find the loopholes in almost any directive. I was never spanked in public (The Look was a very effective substitute).

Both of my grandfathers were ex-military, so possibly just the thought of what could hypothetically (but never did) happen was a great deterrent. Yes, I would sometimes smart off to my maternal grandfather, but he knew I was just playing around.

Some kids, talking doesn't work and you need to do something that the kid will get through their skull.

[crazylegs]

Okay, would those opposed to spanking PLEASE learn the difference between a spanking and a beating?

I am *for* spanking, yet have no children...

What I am trying to say is that your opinion is valid regardless of whether or not you have children

I have an opinion on abortion yet cannot bear children

I have an opinion on the use of the rainforests yet have never been there

I have an opinion on smoking yet I do not so

I have an opinion on drugs yet I do not partake in them.

Do my opinions in those areas not count for those reasons?

[Greenday]

Anyone who has an opinion on the war without working in the military or in the Pentagon doesn't have a worthwhile opinion.

Woohoo! I win! My military opinions are valid! Mwahahahaha!

Seriously though, you don't have to have any experience with spanking to have a valid opinion on it.

[AFPheonix]

Well then. Anyone who posts political opinions without actually having spent time in Congress or Parlaiment doesn't have a worthwhile opinion.

Anyone who has an opinion on the war without working in the military or in the Pentagon doesn't have a worthwhile opinion.

Anyone who has an opinion on gun control who doesn't own a gun doesn't have a worthwhile opinion.

Anyone who has an opinion on abortion without a functional uterus doesn't have a worthwhile opinion, according to you.

They're allowed their opinion, especially since at one point WE WERE ALL CHILDREN OURSELVES and experienced discipline of some sort. Yay for free speech and all.

[Zyanya]

I also have no children yet am for it, anyone is entitled to an opinion on a matter irrespective of experience or training.

Even thoses with years of experience of dealing with children have the wrong opinion on how to care for said children

(Warning, may be disturbing for some)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7370897.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/w...re/7439666.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/eur...ey/7421428.stm

Okay, would those opposed to spanking PLEASE learn the difference between a spanking and a beating? These kinds of conversations would go so much smoother that way. Not a single solitary soul here is justifying beating your kids.

You are entitled to your opinion. However, an opinion with no experience in the matter isn't worth very much.