Spanking doesn't really work because .....


  1. It leads to fear and avoidance. The child becomes sneaky.
  2. It doesn't stop the unwanted behavior.
  3. You become a model for aggression.
  4. The spanking doesn't stop when the lesson is learned; it stops when the spanker is tired.
  5. It breeds hostility and anger.
  6. Spanking leads to revenge and retaliation.
  7. It creates new problems. Now the child is angry.
  8. It teaches that might makes right.
  9. It is a violation of the childs rights. If the same action was taken against an adult, you could be charged with assault and battery.
  10. It fails to teach appropriate behavior.
  11. The child wants to strike back.
  12. "Not spanking" forces one to find alternatives.
  13. As the child grows older, the spanking must become more severe.
  14. If more than one child is involved, the innocent one may be spanked.
  15. The child may "opt" to take spanking and risk getting caught if the only reason for behaving is to escape punishment.
  16. Spanking does not teach or lead to inner control.
  17. It can lead to child abuse.
We need to give children a reason for behaving
instead of reasons for not misbehaving.

For more information call
The Parent Connection, parent support groups, (757) 622-9622 ext. 19
Parents Anonymous, Hampton Roads Committee to Prevent Child Abuse
Downtown Norfolk YMCA, 312 W, Bute St., Norfolk, VA 23510

Adapted with permission from the materials of Katharine Kersey
Ed.D. Early Childhood Education, Old Dominion University.

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