Comments on: To Spank or Not To Spank? http://www.dennyburk.com/to-spank-or-not-to-spank/ A commentary on theology, politics, and culture Sat, 11 Feb 2012 07:44:09 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jim Peet http://www.dennyburk.com/to-spank-or-not-to-spank/#comment-39089 Jim Peet Tue, 24 Jun 2008 23:42:11 +0000 http://www.dennyburk.com/?p=2140#comment-39089 Spanking is but "one tool" in the disciplinarian's toolbox of love and control. Always best to discipline privately - especially if you spank. Spanking is but “one tool” in the disciplinarian’s toolbox of love and control.

Always best to discipline privately – especially if you spank.

]]> By: Brent http://www.dennyburk.com/to-spank-or-not-to-spank/#comment-38989 Brent Mon, 23 Jun 2008 16:54:43 +0000 http://www.dennyburk.com/?p=2140#comment-38989 How many of us spank with rods, anyway? Most of us are already lightening (and liberalizing) all of the commands involving "rods," I would guess. Not that I have anything against corporal punishment. I was spanked as a child. How many of us spank with rods, anyway? Most of us are already lightening (and liberalizing) all of the commands involving “rods,” I would guess.

Not that I have anything against corporal punishment. I was spanked as a child.

]]> By: Brian (Another) http://www.dennyburk.com/to-spank-or-not-to-spank/#comment-38870 Brian (Another) Fri, 20 Jun 2008 15:46:57 +0000 http://www.dennyburk.com/?p=2140#comment-38870 Correction, my daughter is now mature enough to understand real reason. At younger ages, I don't think she fully grasped discussion/other forms of punishment. Again, in my opnion. Correction, my daughter is now mature enough to understand real reason. At younger ages, I don’t think she fully grasped discussion/other forms of punishment. Again, in my opnion.

]]> By: Brian (Another) http://www.dennyburk.com/to-spank-or-not-to-spank/#comment-38867 Brian (Another) Fri, 20 Jun 2008 15:44:53 +0000 http://www.dennyburk.com/?p=2140#comment-38867 I agree with Adam's comment about loving parents. My daughter responded to it (she is mature enough to understand real reason), though it's not something to continue past a certain age (in my very humble opinion). Given the precedence in Quebec, though, maybe our decisions as parents will be out of our hands: http://www.albertmohler.com/blog_read.php?id=1173 I agree with Adam’s comment about loving parents. My daughter responded to it (she is mature enough to understand real reason), though it’s not something to continue past a certain age (in my very humble opinion). Given the precedence in Quebec, though, maybe our decisions as parents will be out of our hands:

http://www.albertmohler.com/blog_read.php?id=1173

]]> By: bprjam http://www.dennyburk.com/to-spank-or-not-to-spank/#comment-38863 bprjam Fri, 20 Jun 2008 15:11:01 +0000 http://www.dennyburk.com/?p=2140#comment-38863 Not that I think anyone is saying this, but corporal punishment (even done lovingly) is by no means a golden path to good children. You might say I am listening to the research a little more closely, but the research I have read (I'm a work right now and can't give a reference) indicates that spanking is no more effective than other means of discipline, even when the criteria for evaluation are well in line with Christian values. Further, spanking with an object (e.g., a belt) is illegal in Minnesota - it is consider assault. Spanking with a hand is OK. With that in mind, those who wish to use a "rod" we have to face the issue of obeying "authorities" vs spanking. From my standpoint (and I have kids), it is more helpful to view the "rod" metaphorically than not. Not only because of issues with the state, but also because some kids respond better to punishment other than spanking. Not that I think anyone is saying this, but corporal punishment (even done lovingly) is by no means a golden path to good children.

You might say I am listening to the research a little more closely, but the research I have read (I’m a work right now and can’t give a reference) indicates that spanking is no more effective than other means of discipline, even when the criteria for evaluation are well in line with Christian values.

Further, spanking with an object (e.g., a belt) is illegal in Minnesota – it is consider assault. Spanking with a hand is OK. With that in mind, those who wish to use a “rod” we have to face the issue of obeying “authorities” vs spanking.

From my standpoint (and I have kids), it is more helpful to view the “rod” metaphorically than not. Not only because of issues with the state, but also because some kids respond better to punishment other than spanking.

]]> By: Adam Omelianchuk http://www.dennyburk.com/to-spank-or-not-to-spank/#comment-38849 Adam Omelianchuk Fri, 20 Jun 2008 12:51:37 +0000 http://www.dennyburk.com/?p=2140#comment-38849 In my upbringing my parents are the ones the regret spanking. I am thankful for it! Loving parents don't like to spank, but kids need it sometimes. In my upbringing my parents are the ones the regret spanking. I am thankful for it! Loving parents don’t like to spank, but kids need it sometimes.

]]> By: MatthewS http://www.dennyburk.com/to-spank-or-not-to-spank/#comment-38847 MatthewS Fri, 20 Jun 2008 12:12:22 +0000 http://www.dennyburk.com/?p=2140#comment-38847 One the one hand, it seems that worst behavior problems I have seen come from kids who never faced the possibility of being spanked. On the other, my own son seems to respond to words and being grounded more than to being spanked. He has always made it a point to react as little as possible to the spanking and has never had a reflex to want a hug after the spanking. This is particularly disappointing to me because I have gone out of my way not to spank in anger and also to explain to him that I am spanking in love. Perhaps I haven't done it right or enough or whatever. Perhaps this point is so obvious it does not need to be made, but spanking alone guarantees nothing. My childhood involved a lot of being spanked in anger. My brothers rebelled; I did not. I wonder if a parent's discipline is the main point, regardless of whether spanking is the exact action in view. Still, I see parents who yell at their kids and threaten "time out" and wonder if spanking wouldn't be kinder. At least it would end more quickly and with less verbal attack. Even so, I am left with the feeling that spanking has never worked very well for my son. I don't know: maybe different kids are different and respond differently to different kinds of discipline. One the one hand, it seems that worst behavior problems I have seen come from kids who never faced the possibility of being spanked.

On the other, my own son seems to respond to words and being grounded more than to being spanked. He has always made it a point to react as little as possible to the spanking and has never had a reflex to want a hug after the spanking. This is particularly disappointing to me because I have gone out of my way not to spank in anger and also to explain to him that I am spanking in love. Perhaps I haven’t done it right or enough or whatever.

Perhaps this point is so obvious it does not need to be made, but spanking alone guarantees nothing. My childhood involved a lot of being spanked in anger. My brothers rebelled; I did not.

I wonder if a parent’s discipline is the main point, regardless of whether spanking is the exact action in view. Still, I see parents who yell at their kids and threaten “time out” and wonder if spanking wouldn’t be kinder. At least it would end more quickly and with less verbal attack. Even so, I am left with the feeling that spanking has never worked very well for my son. I don’t know: maybe different kids are different and respond differently to different kinds of discipline.

]]> By: Kris http://www.dennyburk.com/to-spank-or-not-to-spank/#comment-38841 Kris Fri, 20 Jun 2008 05:52:15 +0000 http://www.dennyburk.com/?p=2140#comment-38841 I totally agree Denny. I 'got' my butt spanked and I am better for it. Would you say that Prv 22:15 is bascially a promise or a fact? I totally agree Denny.

I ‘got’ my butt spanked and I am better for it.

Would you say that Prv 22:15 is bascially a promise or a fact?

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