should it be illegal to spank your kid(s)?

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George Bush Senior used to brag about how he had been spanked.

I wonder if Junior ever got a spanking?

That may explain certain things.

I think this is just about one issue I actually agree with you on. Except that if the child is being hit too hard and is suffering, etc. All in appropriate measure.

Only if Junior got spanked on the head I would imagine.

I know this is a joke... but on a serious note, it continually surprises me that so many people still believe in tabula rasa, that our personalities, temperaments, and tendencies are the direct result of how we were raised.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabula_rasa

Well, I think it'd be sort of odd that an AS site would have believers in tabula rasa given the evidence for AS as having a genetic basis.

Yes.

In context with spanking and other child-rearing practices, it always strikes me as odd that so many people believe that the form of child rearing creates the temperament of the child but not vice versa. In many cases this appears to be the result of bad science (mistaking correlation for causality).

My only real problem with spanking is that it teaches kids the unintended lesson that "might makes right." That's much of what's wrong with the world today.

Here are a few reasons why I no longer think that spanking communicates "might makes right" any more than any other disciplinary action:

-a spanking (as opposed to a beating) does not physically overpower or injure a child

-removing a small child from a situation is the use of "might" to direct behavior (as the only reason you can do it successfully is because you are bigger and stronger), but this is done to every child without adverse effect

-small children do not have terms for human constructs like "power" and "might" but they are quick to devlop a concept of cause and effect

-even in cultures where all children are spanked, some people grow up to be bullies and some grow up to be gentle

-a child with a dominant/rebellious temperament may require that his parents resort to spanking more than a quiet child whose nature is to follow all reasonable instructions, giving the illusion that spanking creates problems with authority

How do you feel about spanking cats?

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=d9f15_4207

Does the issue of pet-owner sovereignty mean that cat owners should be permitted to spank their pets?

I don't see why pet-owners can't eat their pets. I mean, cat is meat just like cow is.

I spank my dogs, if they get out of line.... It's not something I like doing, nor is it something I look forward to. But sometimes it is necessary..... My little dog is rebellious, he's always the one you've got to keep an eye on. The big dog, he's a big ole wussy:p If I even put this [ ] much base in my voice he'll think I am yelling at him, and even if I'm not even talking to or about him, he'll spazz out and act bonkers lol.
I've never hit my dogs though. My dogs are to me, like my children, and I try to set them a good example and teach them to be good. They look up to me actually.

...yeah, but should pet owners be allowed to spank their monkeys?



...sorry, couldn't resist...

How is spanking a child different from the torture policies of some governments? One country I know of allows vigorous, painful methods as long as it does not cause major permanent physical damage, but fear and pain to compel compliance are considered OK.

What makes yelling different? Or time outs? Or grounding? Or any other parenting practice that hasn't been villified in the media?

You're talking about the United States, right?

Nobody who has no kids will have any idea - sorry.

I thought I did understand until I had kids. so many of our "we're never gonna do that" type ideas got overturned in the first 5 years.

Spanking generally does nothing but occasionally, it has uses.

I have a rule that says (generally) no spanking unless it's a dangerous situation which needs serious awakening - like running on the road. My wife has different ideas. When you're parents you're a team but you have to accept that there will be some deviation in your ideas of discipline.