Parents who support spanking often believe it is an effective way to manage a child’s behavior. Often times, if the parents themselves were spanked as children, they may feel that if they don’t spank their own children, then they will grow up spoiled. “Spare the rod and spoil the child” is the infamous quote that guides the philosophy, however spanking is not only an ineffective form of discipline; it can also be counterproductive and dangerous.

Spanking is an ineffective way to manage behavior because it does not involve verbal communication or reasoning with the child. After being spanked, the child may temporarily stop the behavior, but chances are they will repeat it. In the short run, hitting might make the child behave better, but in the long run, it creates more problems for both parent and child. Some e

Finally, spanking can be dangerous in several ways. When a parent chooses hitting as a method of discipline, in time the child may build up anger and frustration. Eventually the child will release the tension and possibly develop a desire to seek revenge. Growing up under those circumstances increases the odds that the child will develop into an angry, defiant teenager, possibly lowering his potential to lead a healthy and productive adult life.

Spanking is also counterproductive because it teaches a lie, in turn creating anxiety or feelings of being unloved. If a parent hits a child, they are clearly transmitting the message that violence is okay. In society we are aware that violence is neither acceptable nor tolerated; therefore when we spank a child we are essentially transmitting an invalid message. Lying to our children causes them to feel insecure about themselves, to feel unloved, and creates anxiety or future inadequacies as adults.

Spanking is also counterproductive in the sense that physical punishment distracts the child from learning how to resolve conflicts. When someone is punished, they tend to experience an

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