The Biblical Approach To Spanking

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Spanking has long been implemented as a form of discipline to correct misbehavior in children. As the proverb goes, “Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them”. While spanking, or more professionally referred to as corporal punishment, has stood as a tried and trusted means of discipline, controversy regarding its integrity, value, and effects has been brought to serious question; and really, this shouldn’t be terribly shocking. The most basic and fundamental aspect of spanking itself is to strike an individual, and this can seem entirely skewed. However, when done in an appropriate manner, corporal punishment ultimately benefits those who receive its brunt in ways that other punishment methods fail to do as effectively. Those who oppose the act of spanking argue that it leads to strained parent/child relationships, and a decline in mental health, as well as increased aggression in children, which then further continues into their adult years. Additionally, it’s argued that CP often develops into physical abuse and offers only short term benefits. It’s also heavily expressed that just because someone was spanked as a child, does not mean that it will work on their own children (Knox and Lentini). These allegations have led opposers to believe that physically disciplining youth is wholly unjust and should not be encouraged nor tolerated. The American Academy of Pediatrics defines spanking as “striking a child with an open hand on the buttocks or extremities with the intention of modifying behavior without causing physical injury” (Corporal Punishment). Michele Knox and Jennifer Lentini claim in their article “On Spanking” that the act of such punishment is a form of violence- “an act carried out with the intention, or perceived intention, of causing physical pain or injury to another person” (Konx and Lentini). But the very definition of spanking clearly states “...without causing physical injury”. If such action does result in physical injury then it’s no longer simply spanking; it’s now, legitimately, a form of violence or physical abuse. That’s precisely why the concept of corporal punishment can be such a slippery slope. When it is taken beyond its true purpose and when it is used as an excuse to wrongfully treat a child, it is quite, quite dangerous. However, what must be realized is the fact that when that happens, it’s no longer candid spanking. So to say that corporal punishment in and of itself is violence is altogether faulty. Psychologist Elizabeth Gershoff, a professor at Columbia University, notes this in a collection of research that she completed and published in the July issue of the Psychological Bulletin. This information, published by the American Psychological Association, reveals the findings of an analysis done on a total of eighty-eight different studies in an effort to establish the relationship between spanking and its different negative, as well as positive, affects on children. The American Psychological Association says in their article titled “Is Corporal Punishment an Effective Means of Discipline?” that Gershoff claims “...studying the true effects of corporal punishment requires drawing a boundary line between punishment and abuse”. Again, a vast majority of the negative impacts that are linked to “spanking” are actually a result of physical mistreatment. So if the use of corporal punishment can lead to such abuse, why should spanking be advocated? Disciplining children in this way has to be done appropriately and with known, prevalent guidelines. Chip Ingram notes in his article “The Biblical Approach to Spanking” that the …show more content…
A significant amount of emphasis is placed on what the child gains from being spanked on a deeper and more meaningful level when parents do follow healthy guidelines. Children learn that they must be responsible for their actions. By asking them why they made the choice that they did, they have to own up to their mistakes and eventually admit and come to the realization that what they did was wrong. Along with this, once what was done wrong is recognized by the child, sincere remorse follows. While this sounds burdensome and heavy, it’s part of learning. It’s imperative to feel genuine grief in order to avoid consciously making the same mistake, and while spanking alone doesn’t achieve this, it’s part of the whole process

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