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The Debate On Spanking Children

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There is always two sides to every story and this is still very much the case in the debate on spanking children. Spanking is one of the most controversial and most debated topics of this century. Moreover, there seems to never be a middle road and debaters always feel very strongly one way or another. This topic in general quite often falls prey to the excluded extreme fallacy that one is either fully for spanking or fully against it; either way to the fullest extent. Some believe spanking is a necessary tool in instilling respect and appropriate behavior, while others argue that is does more damage to a child than it does reparation. Those that are on the pro-spanking side of the discussion believe that to be successful, a child must “learn to obey legitimate authority” and this is often done by “powerful love, but equally powerful discipline” (Rosemond, 2005). John Rosemond believes that in order to be effective, punishment must have three qualities: be punitive, provide emotional discomfort, and create a lasting memory; and he believes that spanking is the correct combination of those qualities. In the eyes of most pro-spankers, spanking is not physical abuse, but merely a tool to elicit respect. As aforementioned, Rosemond believes that love is always at the root of spanking (2005). As well, the belief is that this will raise well-behaved children that are not spoiled; since nowadays what is considered love is “nothing more than indulging, enabling, and rescuing”

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