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Spanking Children: Productive or Destructive?By THERESA RAPOLTI-SABATINO | NIE Educational Consultant Being a parent can be a wonderful privilege but it is also a great responsibility. Every child born is unique and special. There are many books, parenting groups and people who routinely advise parents on how children should be disciplined, and the issue of spanking is a common topic in parents' discussions. What is effective in disciplining one child may be totally wrong for another. This brings up the controversy as to whether spanking, as a regular form of discipline, is productive or whether it is destructive.
Recently, an article was published in The Daytona Beach News-Journal entitled: "To spank or not? Old idea gets paddled around." The article was informative as it compared parenting practices now with these practices during the last century. Raising children requires a variety of skills from parents or caregivers, and the ultimate goal for most people who are raising children is to allow them to enjoy their childhood while preparing them for adulthood as responsible citizens. In years past, spanking children was an accepted form of discipline, even in public schools, but there are now rules in most public school districts that prevent "corporal punishment" or spanking. Cities, counties and states have attempted to specify guidelines as to what is acceptable child discipline in reference to spanking. Ensuring that specific guidelines pertaining to the safety of children are adhered to is a difficult task to implement. One of the main reasons for attempting to reduce spanking as a regular form of discipline has been the increase in violence in our country. Parents, teachers, psychologists and government officials are giving consideration to the fact that regular spanking of children contradicts teaching children not to hit each other or to resort to violence for conflict resolution. In contrast to this perspective, there are also parents, teacher, psychologists and government officials who believe that our country's standards for raising children are too permissive. Those who favor stricter discipline would like to try to bring back a respect for authority that they feel has diminished significantly. Some behaviors that take place in schools, such as disrespecting teachers, not following school rules, destroying school property and not treating other students with respect have led to a lack of esteem for authority, perhaps because children want to test their limits. Many psychologists believe that when children are given clear boundaries and rules that they are expected to obey, children feel more secure because they know their limits and consequences. Both advocates of spanking and not spanking probably have the same goal of raising children to become well rounded, contributing members of our society. The controversy and debate becomes choosing the manner of child rearing that will accomplish this goal. Complete some of the interesting newspaper activities, and refer to informative website links, that are offered below to help you think about what your feelings and beliefs are about spanking. Try These Interesting Activities Using the Daytona Beach News-Journal1. Punishments often occur when a child and a parent have a conflict. Scan the News-Journal for an article describing some kind of conflict. This could be local, national or international. Review the article to determine if the conflict has been resolved. If it has, write your opinion of the method chosen and include whether or not you think it was an effective method. Share this with your teacher and possibly the class. (Sunshine State Standards LA.A.1.2.1, LA.A.1.2, LA.A.1.2.2, LA.A.1.2.3, LA.A.1.2.4, LA.A.2.2.1, LA.A.2.2.2, LA.A.2.2.3, LA.B.1.2.1, LA.B.2.2.2, LA.C.3.2.1, LA.C.3.2.2, LA.C.3.2.3, LA.C.3.2.4)
2. Think of a conflict you have observed. On a blank page, give the conflict a title. Imagine several non-violent ways that you might resolve the conflict. For each of your resolutions, draw a "branch" from the title. Scan The News-Journal and clip out words and pictures that help to show your solutions. Discuss your thought process and ideas with someone you trust such as a parent, care giver, teacher or school guidance counselor. (Sunshine State Standards LA.A.1.2.1, LA.A.1.2.2, LA.A.1.2.3, LA.A.1.2.4, LA.B.1.2.1, LA.B.2.2.1, LA.B.2.2.2, LA.B.2.2.3) 3. Have you ever been punished for breaking a rule? Think about the punishment and your feelings about it now as well as at that time. Write about the conflict and the type of consequence that was given. Write two to three pros and cons about the punishment. Scan The News-Journal for any pictures, cartoons or drawings that express how you feel now or felt then about the event. Share this if you want to with someone you trust and are comfortable with for a discussion. (Sunshine State Standards: LA.A.1.2.1, LA.A.1.2.2, LA.A.1.2.3, LA.A.1.2.4, LA.B.1.2.1, LA.B.1.2.2, LA.B.2.2.1, LA.B.2.2.2, LA.B.2.2.3, SC.F.2.2.1) 4. With a parent, caregiver or school professional, refer to the activity above. Think of two to three possible punishments that you believe might be beneficial, and write several reasons you would choose those particular punishments. Refer to The News-Journal articles mentioned above, and related web sites, as you consider the manners of discipline that you feel are most effective. Use this activity to bring about a time to discuss your views and opinions pertaining to discipline with the adults in your life. (Sunshine State Standards LA.A.1.2.1, LA.A.1.2.2, LA.B.1.2.1, LA.B.1.2.2, LA.B.1.2.3, SC.F.1.2.1) 5. Using the News-Journal, make a collage of titles and nonviolent pictures that involve learning, conflict resolution and child discipline. On your collage, choose a place to write a description of what your creation is about and what it means to you. If possible, share it with your teacher, classmates and your parents or caregivers. (Sunshine State Standards LA.B.1.2.1, LA.B.1.2.2, LA.B.1.2.3, LA.C.3.2.1, LA.C.3.2.2, LA.C.3.2.4, LA.D.2.2.1,2,3) A copy of Florida's Sunshine State Standards can be found at intech2000.miamisci.org. Check out these links to learn more
Healthy kids web site has a variety of topics pertaining to discipline as well as information on other aspects of child development. www.healthykids.com This web site has specific information on the pros and cons of using spanking as a form of discipline. www.news10-TV.net Think Quest is a very youth-friendly and attractive site. www.thinkquest.org Never Hit a Child is a website that expresses a strong viewpoint. www.neverhitachild.org The Newspaper Association of America's web site contains links to many newspapers in the U.S. and around the world, which may contain additional information about spanking as a form of discipline. To access the newspapers at the site, select a state. Click on the "Internationals" button to view choices from other countries. The Daytona Beach News-Journal NIE Program, published September 9, 2002 |
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