LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Spanking is nothing more than hitting

Monday,  January 16, 2006

Dear Sir,

Ms Rose, you are very mistaken, and you are sadly in need of correcting your so-called facts. Spanking is nothing more than hitting. There is no difference. Spanking is never necessary, particularly when it comes to teens or in schools. 

“Sometimes we need to use punitive measures.” Why? Why do you think it is necessary to do so?

The facts and studies clearly show spanking not only is rarely effective, it is often times abusive in nature regardless of a parent or a principal/teacher doing what they think is “mild” spanking, oh, let’s say just one or two quick swats on the buttocks with a paddle, a belt, or, as in the case of Singapore, a cane.

Let’s humiliate these kids, let’s embarrass them – that should do the trick… Not!

Kids go through enough emotions as it is. When other proven methods of disciplining children are as or even moreso effective without the possibility of damaging a child/student, doesn’t it make more sense to utilize it? 

The bible, by the way, never, in the New Testament, ever tells anyone to hit, spank, paddle, or cane a child. If you think it does, Ms. Rose, please quote the verse! The Old Testament refers to how people were treated in days long ago. Shall we stone to death an adulterer? Of course not! God allowed man to create a governing set of laws to deal with such issues in modern times.

The vast majority of parents, countries, teachers, principals, and child experts in the world say without doubt that spanking is simply wrong, unnecessary, and, in far too many cases, leading to the potential of abuse. I invite you to look at this website, www.nospank.com.

Look at all the kids that were physically damaged, not to mention emotionally and mentally damaged, all in the good name you mentioned of punitive measures. I’m sure most of the principals and teachers, even parents, don’t intentionally try to damage these kids.

However, isn’t even one child, one student, one boy/girl just one too many to suffer what these kids have gone through?

If I were you, I would seriously reconsider your stand on corporal punishment. You do no justice to the children of this world.

A loving parent who never hit his boys.

Greg Larson
Seattle, WA, USA

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