Spanking is one of the most common methods of discipline used by parents. Even though the very same parents do not condone hitting people, they believe that spanking is a quick and effective method for exterminating unwanted behavior or encouraging desired behavior (Ramsburg 1). Ironically, by using a violent and hurtful means of discipline, parents are instilling negative values in their children. Basically, it is immoral to spank children. Furthermore, the moral consequences of spanking children has lifelong adverse effects.
For young children, parents are their primary role models. When parents spank their children, they send a powerful message to their children that violence is a way to respond to problems (Ramsburg 2). This causes children to learn that people can control the behavior of defenseless individuals by physically hurting them. Children who engage in aggressive behavior towards their friends and siblings are emulating their parents' actions. Thus, by spanking their children, parents are condoning the behavior of hitting regardless of the fact that they tell their children not to hit others ("Child Corporal Punishment" 4). Studies have shown that children who are spanked "are four times more likely than non-spanked children to show high aggression" ("Five Good Reasons" 1). Therefore, by using physical punishment, parents are encouraging and teaching children to be violent.
In addition, young children who are spanked for bad behavior may not even understand the reason for their punishment. In order for the children to learn from their mistakes, parents have to demonstrate appropriate behavior to their children. The uniform punishment of spanking for a wide range of misbehavior does not help children distinguish between the seriousness of their actions so that they can grasp their significance. Instead of offering a learning experience, parents who spank their children only succeed in humiliating them. For fear o...