"Ivan Gowch" wrote in message
...
Eight Dangerous Myths About Spanking
By Debra L. Stang, LCSW

Spanking



To be honest with you Eric, it's not a subject I normally comment on,
because my views on this are seen as contrary to my purposes as a foster
parent. Not that I have never commented on it, but it is very rare that I
do. Personally, I am of the opinion that the individuals involved in this
debate are all guilty of lying to try and prove their point. All you have to
do is read the posts to come to the same conclusion. I don't believe that I
want to get involved in an argument where so much untruth is found.



Historically, corporal punishment has been a staple of child rearing. 20,000
years or more of parents correcting inappropriate behaviors by using natures
own behavior modification system. And it has worked. We are where we are as
a species because we use those methods that prove reliable, and those things
that are a natural part of being human. Pain is the best behavior modifier
ever known. It is built into the human body and we depend on it every minute
of every day to tell us when we are doing something that we should not be
doing. It works, period. Always has, always will. 20,000 years of testing,
and while its not quite perfect, as nothing is, it is effective.



The auspices of psychology cannot say the same thing. They are still in the
infant / testing stage of their theories in comparison. There are many
theories and studies out there, but none can say with certainty, or anything
close to it, that the methods they recommend are as or more effective.
Psychologists stumble and bumble around, trying to understand the human
mind, pronouncing findings from short term studies, as if they actually know
what they are talking about. But, when one is finally pined down without any
wiggle room, they all admit that their theories are just that, theories.
Unproven, and unproveable. But the individuals that post to these news
groups sure feel free to make the claim of fact.



It is my opinion that all this psychological parenting is the DIRECT cause
of many of our societies problems. Rampant teen crime, growing child abuse
rates, a general failure to accept responsibility for one's own actions,
etc.. These have been issues throughout time, but most certainly not of the
scale we "enjoy" today, and until recently have been at a manageable level.
That is no longer true.



But, as with anything, corporal punishment has its place and time. There are
times when it is effective, and times when it is counterproductive. A good
parent learns to distinguish between the two, and apply the best correction
technique for the situation. Some people never learn this subtle lesson,
hence we get child abuse or out of control children.



We have spent too many years ignoring the research and accepting the
myths about spanking without bothering to investigate them fully. The
time has come to confront these myths and stop finding excuses to hit
children.

The truth cannot be hidden by the use of limited studies, targeted research,
and rhetoric. Look at the facts, all of them, and then come to an
appropriate conclusion.

Ron