Northfield Parents Talk: To Spank or Not to Spank?

This week's topic:

Should children be spanked for bad behavior?

According to a 2002 Public Agenda poll, the chances of you spanking your child are good. In fact, 57 percent of parents acknowledged spanking their kids. 

Time Magazine Online wrote, “Parents who do it argue that occasional spanking is an important disciplinary tool. Parents who don't do it say hitting a child teaches that violence is O.K.”

If you peruse the Internet, you can find studies that prove spanked kids will have lower IQs and studies that prove kids who are spanked grow up to be healthier, happier and more intelligent.

Likewise, there are websites devoted to sharing discipline ideas for parents opposed to spanking, and there are just as many websites lauding the success of spanking as a form of punishment. When it comes to spanking, we're a nation divided, to say the least.

About Parents Talk:

Each week in Parents Talk, our Parents Council—a group of parents who work with us to share what matters to them and in turn to other local parents—will take your questions, offer advice and provide solutions. The parents, who have graciously given their time and thoughts, and who you'll see posting their comments on our Parents Talk discussions, are: , , and .

Post your thoughts in the comments section below.