There is a big argument going on about whether as parent you should use physical discipline on your child or not.  While some do not feel there is anything wrong with it, others are strictly against it. It is getting to a point where some folks want to have it made illegal. period.

Physical punishment has been used to discipline kids for years, so it’s pretty common. Your child does something wrong and you beat them. Some parents use their hand. Others may use belts, whips, tree branches, and even spoons. Others argue that there are other methods to discipline your child that work that don’t involve causing your child pain. The main reason people are more against physical discipline now is because of the so-called “effects.” According to the American Psychological Association, “many studies have shown that physical punishment — including spanking, hitting and other means of causing pain — can lead to increased aggression, antisocial behavior, physical injury and mental health problems for children.” Senior Frederick Adeoye said, “I feel like it’s okay as long as it isn’t [out of control].”

Personally, I don’t think there is anything wrong with using physical punishment to discipline your child. I was whooped when I was little when it was needed, but not all the time. If it is used as a last resort and the parent does not overdo it where marks and or bruises are left then it shouldn’t be an issue. I am aware that there are other methods to disciplining your child, but they might not always work because every child is different. Some children only need to be told once to do something and they listen. For others, time-outs may be the only thing you have to do. Then you have children who are just very hardheaded and bad, so you have to use a little extra force to get them to listen. Senior Alexis Fleming said, “It’s the easiest way to get your point across to children.”

Some people feel as though you should be able to sit down and reason with your child, but I think it’s hard to “reason” with elementary school kids. Senior Erika Jackson said, “For parents I think it’s okay to use physical discipline. Ot lets the kids know that parents aren’t messing around and that they are serious.” When they get to middle school or high school age it’s different because they may actually listen to what you say. Some people have said that they have developed emotional issues and PTSD from getting whooped, but I think those people were just straight-up abused. That is probably the reason why they can’t differentiate between physical discipline and abuse.