I was involved in a discussion a few nights ago that shocked and silenced me.

[Little_Wing]

91. We can choose to break the cycle...

I wasn't spanked much as a kid, but when I had my son in 1987, I chose (as a thinking, logical human) to not continue the practice of utilizing physical violence as a means of "discipline." My son turned out to be a wonderful man.

In the end, hitting children reflects our own limitations. WE are afraid of our powerlessness, and hitting a child is clearly the result of our own frustration in challenging situations. When we are not taught how to deal in an alternate way, we have to teach ourselves. In the best of worlds, the moment we feel compelled to strike out at helpless children is the moment to begin learning the complexities of raising children. No. They are not perfect. They are humans in training and make mistakes. Let's not perpetuate mindless parenting.

Really, there is no evidence that dispensing violence, mild or not, has any effect other than instilling fear (and deception to avoid the physical pain).

Humans are very cool animals. We have a highly evolved brain... we might as well use it, especially as we send the next generations into the future. One small step, etc.