GoodParent.org

Disciplinary Spanking

Disciplinary Spanking: When and How to Use It

Lately, there has been much controversy in the media surround the topic of disciplinary spanking.  Is it ever needed or should it never be used?  For an in-depth discussion of the research and practicality of spanking, follow this link to Spanking: Needed or Never?

Disciplinary spanking is one of several methods of correction in the discipline of a child.  When used properly, it can be useful and effective.  Like any other method of correction, when used improperly or on impulse, it can be counterproductive and detrimental to the parent-child relationship.  How a parent uses any corrective measure will often determine its effectiveness.  If you choose to use spanking, the following guidelines will help you maximize its effectiveness.

  • Typical ages of use and need: 18 months to 6 years, uncommon from 7 to 10 years and rarely, if ever, after 10 years. Spanking is most useful with children from 18 months to 4 years of age, when reasoning and consequences are less effective.
  • The spanking should always be a planned action by the parent (proactive), not an angry reaction (reactive). Your child should be forewarned of the spank and the reason for it. Never spank on impulse in anger.
  • Always administer the spanking in private, i.e. bedroom or restroom, to avoid public humiliation. This is a private matter between you and your child. The walk to the bedroom or bathroom formalizes the procedure for you and your child, and it can provide you a needed cool‑down time.
  • The spank must be painful, yet not harmful. Use a thin semi‑flexible object (a light ruler) or your open hand. Never use a belt (too flexible) or heavy paddle (too hurtful). Administer one to two spanks to the buttocks only. The older child may occasionally require more spanks, but physical injury should never occur. Using a light ruler formalizes the spanking procedure and symbolizes the practice for your child.
  • Always follow the spanking (or any disciplinary measure) with a verbal review of the offense, and reassurance of your unconditional love for your child. Offer a hug and clarify your displeasure for the behavior, not your child.
  • A spanking should never result in physical injury.

When to Spank

  1. When your child’s misbehavior could endanger his life and the risks with repeating the behavior are high.  Examples:  A child runs into a busy street, or a toddler persists in playing with an electrical outlet or cord, despite verbal warnings to stop.
  2. When your child refuses to cooperate with milder punishment, despite warnings. Spanking can serve as an effective enforcer of time‑out.  Example: A toddler refuses to stay in time‑out, even after a couple of warnings.  A spanking should be administered in private and the child returned to the time‑out chair.
  3. When your child willfully disobeys and milder forms of punishment have failed.  Example: A toddler persistently bites or hits a sibling, despite reprimands and consequences such as time‑out.
  4. When your child’s misbehavior is blatantly disrespectful toward the parent or deliberately destructive and milder forms of punishment have failed.  Example:  A 3‑year‑old in the midst of a temper tantrum resorts to throwing toys, pounding on the door, or sassing the parent. The child should be told to stop and warned of a spanking if the behavior continues. If the misbehavior continues, the child should be spanked. The best approach to the common temper tantrum is to ignore the behavior and allow for its ultimate extinction.

A parent must be under control emotionally and always follow an established procedure for spanking. Spanking on impulse and in anger is unhealthy and less effective; a cool‑down period may be required for an angry parent. Not all children will need spankings. Some very compliant children may never need a spanking to change behavior. The particularly contrary child, however, will require more corrective measures, such as spankings.

Reasons for Failure

  1. The child’s misbehavior is more persistent than the parent’s response. Once punished, the child repeats the misbehavior without a corrective response from the parent. Be persistent with your correction of your child. If consistent and persistent, you can avoid the mistake of increasing your anger or the severity of punishment.
  2. The parent inconsistently punishes misbehavior. Sometimes the child is punished for a particular act of disobedience and other times the act is ignored. The use of spanking or any other corrective measure should not depend upon your attitude or level of exasperation at the moment. Clearly inform your child of the rules and the consequences of disobedience, and then consistently enforce them.
  3. The parent uses improper methodology. A spanking must be painful, yet not harmful or humiliating. It should always be carefully administered according to a predetermined plan and followed by a review of the offense and a restoration of your relationship with your child. Erratic, temperamental use of spanking is improper and ineffective.
  4. Spanking is suddenly initiated after months or years of permissive parenting. It will take a while before your child responds to any change in your disciplinary approach. Initially, he will test your seriousness about the change. First, explain to your child the reason for the change and then implement the plan with persistence and consistency.
  5. Spanking is used with an adolescent.  Spanking is most useful with children from 18 months to 4 years of age, when reasoning and consequences are less effective.  After 6 years of age spanking should be uncommon, and after 10 years of age rarely, if ever, used.
  6. Spanking is excessively used as the only form of discipline and the parent’s attitude is negative or authoritarian. Spanking is just one component in a total disciplinary plan and should not relied upon to correct all misbehavior.  Parents should take a diversified approach to correction using a variety of measures such as disapproval, time-out, restraint, and consequences.  It should always be administered in love for correction, not retaliation.  Praise and encouragement of the child should play a major role in all disciplinary plans.

Click here for a Patient Information Handout of disciplinary spanking.

Print This Page Print This Page