Is it wrong to spank children?

On September 20, 2013 Sarah B. Weir, Yahoo Shine's senior writer for parenting, published an article titled "Judge Slaps Mom With 2-Year Spanking Ban". It is an article about a Virginia woman named Felisha Kimble-Tanks spanking her 6 year old child with a belt for misbehavior at school, leaving a bruise on her thigh. The ex-husband filed a complaint after noticing the bruise but took no other action. Now the mother is banned from spanking her child for 2 years. Some people claim that the parent did nothing wrong but, some disagree and think she crossed the line. Sarah Weirs article states that about 65% of Americans say they approve of spanking children. However experts say that, since there is no line to what is appropriate discipline and what is child abuse, spanking just shouldn't be done.

In my opinion Ms. Kimble-Tanks did not do anything wrong in spanking her child. Children require punishment and discipline or else they do not learn and they will continue making the same mistakes. I also think that the father did have enough involvement in this situation and should have discussed this issue with Ms. Tanks.

However, the fact that Ms. Kimble-Tanks did bruise her child changes the scenario. Minor punishment to teach a lesson is one thing but physical harm on this six year old child seems unfair. Spanking is a good method for teaching children right from wrong. I just hope that the mom doesn’t get carried away again.

I think that child abuse is the point where the child is bruised, broken, or bleeding. Anything otherwise I would not consider as abuse, but as disciplinary action on behalf of the parent/ guardian to teach a lesson to the child.

 Banning the mother from spanking her child does not seem like the correct punishment for her mistake because the child will need discipline if she hopes to live in a world with consequences. The mother of this child deserves probation and should have to perform community service. If the mother harms her child again then Ms. Kimble-Tanks should go to jail for two years (the same amount of time as her spanking ban).

Spanking or corporal punishment is not only an issue in the United States, but also is an issue worldwide. Many countries are trying to outlaw corporal punishment due to claims that it increases crime rates and has many negative psychological effects on the next generation of children.