Quote:
Originally Posted by DrPhil
It is not against the law to hit an animal. Animal cruelty does not include people who use a rolled up magazine to discipline or train a puppy. There are all types of animal training, breeding, and raising (for food, etc.) techniques that would not be considered animal cruelty.
Sarah McLachlan isn't singing about a puppy who took a dump on the couch and was smacked on the rear in punishment.
|
On the other hand, maybe a shock collar or bark collar on a kid would work wonders. Electric fences for kids? I have a feeling that wouldn't fly.
I was spanked 3 or 4 times in my lifetime but my brother was spanked a lot more than I was. Why? When I saw him get spanked, the sibling rivalry thing kicked in and I was determined that the parental units would love me more so I behaved myself.
Every child is different and I agree the lines are subjective but to me, if a permanent mark is left, it was most definitely abuse. Then again, some of the worst abuse is mental and there is no physical evidence at all.
I'm kind of curious- for those who did experience more corporal punishment- Do you think that was the only way for your parents to get you to act right? Do you think lesser punishments would have worked?
For me, growing up and in my own parenting, spanking was the absolute last resort after everything else had been tried and did not work OR when what the child was about to do would harm them far worse than a swat on a diapered butt.