We asked for your thoughts about the spanking debate and you responded. Here are comments we received:

There is a difference between spanking and beating your child. My mother raised four children alone and worked full time, we were spanked when we were out of line. We were never part of a gang, stole anything, or threw a fit in a department store when we couldn't get our own way. All four of us grew up to be responsible adults. I spanked my son, who is now a very successful young man with no emotional baggage because of the spankings he got as a child. If more people "Spanked" their children, maybe there would be less mischief among teens. -- Lynn

Spanking? It should not be a debate at all, but the right thing to do. I was spanked at school thru the 10th grade and it make me more respectful and mature, which is what our young generation sure needs today!!! -- John

I am a father of five boys, a teacher, a youth director at a local church, and a very concerned person. I would love to voice my view on this subject. -- Richard

Spanking is appropriate for small children that cannot be rationalized with. It provides immediate feedback, especially regading issues that could cause injury. No matter what, multiple swats are inappropriate andmore about the parents anger and less about teaching the child something. Older children can benefit from discussion regarding behavior. This teaches them to deal with their anger as opposed to acting out in anger. -- Jessica

In a personal opinion, I believe a spanking is exceptable up to a certain age. At times a child does not understand what they are doing is wrong. There is also a thin red line between a punishment spanking on the rear and anger-blinding swing for the fences-type spanking. A parent HAS to practice a great amount of self-control with their children and not be the bully of the household. --John

I believe that spanking can be a good thing. Kids now days are not disciplined the way kids from my age were. I work at a prison and oddly enough, inmates have told me that they join gangs to receive the discipline they do not get from their parents. The gang becomes their family. They feel safer with their gang then their real family. I can see if the parent beats the child that would be very wrong. Spanking a child without injury is what should occur. People, who give the bad stares at a parent that discipline their child, should mind their own business, and start watching their own children. If a child does not behave, the parent should redirect them. My child does not act wrong because both of his parents discipline him correctly. That is what should it should be. -- Rudolph

I am the author of "More Parachutes For Parents, Raising Loved and Loving Children For A Joyful World" and show parents how to raise children without ever spanking or even getting angry. This book was given a Library Journal review, as well as other reviews from major magazines, and has been sold to 40,000 parents who say it really works. I am saddened to see how many parents are spanking their children when they don't need to do this...and when it is so ineffective. I would be happy to share more about how to avoid this if you are interested. Thanks for raising the awareness on this important topic. -- Bobbie

Spanking is the lowest form of communicaton we can have with our children, no matter how we justify our decision to use force to discipline a child. The problem is mom and dad's are not raising there children. They leave it to day care centers. So bad behaviours are being ignored hour by hour and communication breaks down between the parent and the child. Then the extreme exist where parents are exremely religious and they beleive they are doing it because God wants them to. It is pure ignorance that causes parents to use spanking as means to communicate with a child. They do it because they believe it is best for the child, and generally it was a learned behaviour from there own child rearing. Thank goodness for people like Dr.Sal Severe. We are so far off as a society in truly protecting children. I am glad you brought the subject up. Thank you for doing so. -- Janee

I was raised in a family where my brother, sister and I were spanked when we acted up. A spanking was never the first form of intervention but was always the last (if needed). I remember when I was younger I would say "I'll never spank my kids" but truth be told I do and it is because my sister, brother and I grew up with a level of respect for our parents that we rarely see in public anymore. When my sister, who is small in stature, had her first son she spanked him and one time I remember yelling at her because of this. (I didn't have a child of my own yet). I remember my sister telling me that she wanted to make sure her son respected her because some day he would be much bigger than she is and she didn't want to deal with a son who didn't respect her. Now her children (9 and 4) are two of the best behaved and polite kids I know.

My own son, now 2 and a half, already knows that he has a small swat coming if he doesn't mind me. I do not beat him and I would never spank him in anger. He always knows it is coming before I do it because I get down on his level and tell him more than once he will get a spanking if he continues to misbehave. My son’s mother, my ex, believes that any form of spanking is child abuse. She comes from a family where the children were never spanked. Her younger brother has been addicted to drugs and in and out of rehab. I found out after we dated that she had used cocaine frequently when she was as young as 16. I wonder where her parents were then and how they disciplined her and her brother. In my opinion their “no-spanking” philosophy did not work.

In the end I know spanking is a big debate and the political correct society that we live in will never come out and say they are for it. Behind closed doors, however, spanking is used more than it is spoken about. I love my son with all of my heart and I encourage his good behavior every chance I get which is why I feel so strongly when punishing his bad behavior. -- Daniel

Of course I spank my children. But only when they have earned it. Trust me as an abused child I know all to well the difference between discipline and abuse. I NEVER spank my children when I am angry, I always tell them why they are to be spanked, and when necessary I wait until I have calmed down before spanking them. Time-Out is a useless notion and does not deter inappropriate behavior. Nor does taking away things or privilages. But a good spanking is always remembered and always a deterant. Pain is after the universal thing that all creatures respect. It is important to note that the most important thing is consistancy. You cant spank a child for having a tantrum in Walmart today if you didnt do so the last four times they did so. That will only reinforce to the child that they will only be punished 20 percent of the time. If you only got punished one time for every five bank robberies, who among us wouldnt rob banks for a living? Both my childrens teachers and our neighbors will attest that ours are among the best behaved and most respectful kids in the area. Spanking is not the problem, child abuse is the problem. Learn the difference! -- Mr. Hill

The doctor you showed said to try a time out or such for a younger child. Well, what do you do if the child just ignores you and continues bad behavior?? A good swat teaches them there ARE repercussions to bad behavior. And in later life, the same message carries over (hopefully). -- Tom

Spanking reminds children to think about their actions before they do something wrong. I know when I was little and going to do something wrong I would remember getting spanked for it and I wouldn't do it. -- Nathan

I am a firm believer in spanking. There are no other options that work. Parents over the past 20 years that have raised their children with the "no, no" and "time-out" policies have managed to raise an entire generation of children that have absolutely no respect for authority. They claim to have no fear, why should they? What are they fearing, Time-out? OOOOHHH that hurts. These children and young adults believe that there will be no severe consequences for their actions. Which is why we are dealing with unruly, disrespectful kids, the ones who flip you off when you are trying to drive around them as they walk down the middle of the street. Or the ones who are bringing weapons to school and shooting their classmates, these kids should have had corporal punishment as they were growing up. -- Heidi

I'm sorry to say I was very disappointed in your spanking debate story. I feel ALOT more research could have been done in a short period of time. I especially do not feel the side against spanking was well represented. The "doctor" claiming that spanking NEVER causes emotional or physical damage is OBSURD. There are plenty of resources and people with personal experiences that can testify to this. I also urge you to explore researching the sexual side effects of spanking a child. It is a FACT that spanking can damage psychosexual development. It's a well known fact that some adults consider spanking to be sexual but we think it doesn't apply to children? Well I'm here to tell you it does, it happened to me. To start you off I have included a link to a great article that goes into depth on the sexual dangers of spanking a child. I understand this may be a little racey for you but if more parents were at least aware I believe they would change and you are the news right. Here is the link. -- Nicole

I think your spanking story may have left some with the impression that religious Christians believe their religion requires spanking. I just wanted to say that there is a growing number of Christians who believe that is not true. One such Christian is named Crystal Lutton and she lives in Buckeye. She has written a book called Biblical Parenting. She would be a great person to interview to get this perspective. She could also refer you to others who have similar beliefs. I don't have her local contact info but here is her web page. -- Janice

I also noticed people who don't spank their children have kids whith more behavioral problems than those who spank their children. --Nathan

Spanking will prevent and show a child that they must not snot off and argue when you tell them no. All children are the same and you can't disipline them the same. -- Donna

I'm a mom of a 3-year-old boy and yes, I do spank on occasion. When I first found out I was going to have a baby I swore my child wouldn't be one of those "terror" kids we all know in the stores and at restaurants. Even thing was going great until he turned about 18 months and then I really started to have problems. My family and I tried the time out thing and it didn't work well for us. I began to spank him at certain times when I had tried all other methods and they hadn't worked. Now I finally have he attention and he now listens when I'm trying to tell him what his behavior should be like. I am totally against beating your child but I do feel that there are times when a "swat" is very much needed. Thanks for listening. -- Amanda

I'm a 58-year-old father of three and grandfather of five. My parents were very loving parents but believed that children should be taught that they are responsible for their behavior and that they "must" learn to control their behavior. Spanking was the "last straw" in a sequence of bad behavior and refusal to control your behavior. It was seldom dispensed, but the threat of it's existence generated a "healthy" respect for authority, which is one thing many children and young adults lack today. Its use was, also, the reason that it didn't have to be used very often. We used the same theory of discipline for our children and have three very fine young adults, who have finished college, married and have wonderful children of their own. Consistency from both parents in saying 'No' and making it mean something is vital. Spanking should not be a primary discipline tool, but its use at a few critical times can reinforce to a child the seriouness of not controlling their behavior. It should always be followed (after some period for reflection) with hugs and re-enforcement of your love for them. -- Dave

Some people say that by not spanking a child, the child doesn't learn right from wrong. I am 57 years old and I was raised by a single parent (my father). He did not spank me at all, and I turned out okay. I did a lot of stupid things growing up, but he never laid a hand on me. Thank you for your time. -- William

I believe that a swat on the butt works. I was spanked as a child (not beaten)and I got the message loud and clear. I have seen children raised with never being spanked and more times than not, they are mouthy and unruly. -- Elaine

I think spanking children is alright as long as there is no anger involved. If there is anger, then I call that abuse. -- Carol

I believe that both historical and biblical evidence, not to mention scientific evidence, overwhelmingly support spanking as a very effective means of disciplining children. -- Edward

A simple answer -- just take a look at the actions of those children who never hear anything negative in response to bad behavior other than a "oh honey, you shouldn't do that." They have no respect for others or rules, negative values, and grow up believing there aren't any consequences for continued bad behavior. I most certainly don't condone beatings but can not see anything wrong with a smack across the backside if a child doesn't listen first to oral discipline. -- Mary

I believe in spanking (not beating). Even in school in the '50s the teachers could give you a swat with a ruler or paddle. It got your attention. The kids had far more respect for grown ups then. -- Don

Like anything else, spanking done in moderation, should be done. Abuse is unacceptable no matter what, but a spanking when a child is out of line helps them to learn boundaries. It is important that a child learn early that just because he cries and carries on doesn't mean a parent gives in and the child gets what they want. Just as you wouldn't pick up a child every time they want to be picked up. And we all know how annoying it is when children are misbehaving at the grocery store and the parents do nothing to stop the behavior. That makes it unpleasant for everyone. I've raised three children by myself and none of them are were hurt by a spanking. So long as the parents don't use the spankings to make themselves feel better. -- Bree

I am a grandmother who was spanked, as a child, when nothing else worked. I hold no ill will because my parents were trying to protect me from dangers (like touching a hot stove) and I wouldn't listen. The burn (as an example) would have been far worse. They didn't beat me and I didn't beat my sons. My sons, too, are now grown and are very respectable citizens who agree that more children nowdays should be spanked if nothing else works. -- Rae

I feel that spanking is appropriate up to a certain age. Sometimes little children need immediate and lasting consequences for dangerous actions. Such as hiding from a parent in the store. Both of my girls did that as a game and were spanked on the spot. They haven't done it again. I personally feel that using the hand only on the bottom is sometimes needed. I am completely against child abuse or beatings. I am completely against never spanking a child. If used just a little as on a small child the child will grow to respect authority and I believe they will be better behaved throughout childhood and teen years. I was spanked and it worked for me. I didn't need much of it. I never felt beaten. It was never excessive. It wasn't done in anger. There is a productive way to do it. A lot more kids need spankings than are getting them these days. -- B.R.

My mother and father spanked -- darn near beating and used paddles, belts, cooking utensils, brushes, you name it. I had the feeling if they weren't using their hands then they weren't beating us. I'll never know. Because of that, I learned how to parent without physical force -- spanking, I knew, could very well lead to beating. My son, growing up, was willful, talked back and knew he had the advantage over my fears, so he'd push. I taught parenting classes for many years - the classes advocated non-violent means of pareting and I followed all the new rules. Now my son is 21 and I tell you I wish I had learned to spank. Spanking (NOT beating) is an effective form of punishment for children. It makes them think about what they've done. Now, I'd qualify that comment with only severe infractions deserve a spanking but, in my world, they work! -- Tamela

I was spanked as a child and NEVER did I ever disrespect my mother the way that children do. Just the other day I heard a 5-year-old utter an obscenity to his mother. Some children need to be spanked. I am probally a better person because of the discipline I received. Who knows what I would of become. Just take a look at all of the children who aren't getting spanked. How many do you think are disrespectful to their elders. I am 27-years-old and I would flip out if my five-year-old and three-year-old talked to me like that. I am all for spanking. Not abusing. There is a big difference. -- Michelle

Coming from a childhood of abuse I can offer an informed opinion. I believe that there is a difference between beating your child and spanking them. Growing up I was beaten. I was repeatedly left with bruises up and down my backside. I learned to not anger my dad. I also learned that when you do something wrong something bad happens to you. I personally took the later part of what my dad taught me and tried to teach my kids. I heard a long time ago that the first couple of swats are for the kid and the rest are for the parent. That is very true. A parent needs to police themselves and teach their children self-disipline as well as right and wrong. Too many parents let their kids off with a stern talking to, and after awhile the kids tune them out. They don't learn anything and end up spoiled and disrespectfull. If more parents taught their kids the difference between right and wrong with a little heavier hand this world would be a better place. -- Larry

We feel spanking is a necessity to unruly children, there is a difference between a beating and a belt on the bottom. Since Dr. Spock rules of raising a child and CPS kids have become more out of control. We believe parents need to be parents and take control back. This is not a religious argument this is a life argument. We are here to raise them to be great adults, have we forgotten who the parents are? -- Heather and Lee

This was a discussion in my phy class. I do not spank, I believe it tells small children that if they are upset with someone it is okay to hit them and older kids. It is just introducing violence into their already impressionable lives. -- Traci

There is a time and place for spanking, as a parent that spanks and as a child that was spanked, I feel that if you spank your child when they have done something wrong it does reinforce a positive out come. But anger can cause your child to fear you which is what you never want. As a teacher I've seen other options that don't work with certain children. I wish I could suggest this option to parents. -- Juan

Yes, my husband and I believe that spanking has good results that every child needs the discipline of the old-fashion spanking. If more parents would discipline their children in a healthy manner like spanking, we believe that there would be less juvenile delinquents. That is what the good Lord himself supplied the butt for. -- Jennifer

I raised six good men. They received spankings when young and when deserved. Never spank in anger. My six boys -- four became firefighters, one gave his life in a fire in Phoenix the other two are contractors and senior DBA. Their personalities were not damaged by spankings growing up. -- Barbara

Some things that children do deserve a spanking. I think positive reinforcement is also a key in child rearing. Time outs are helpful in some instances, but I believe all three are needed when raising a child. -- Sha

Spanking is a good tool to use for willfull disobedience only. If a child is told no and they look you right in the eye and do it anyway, you should spank them. -- Linda

I think sometimes it is necessary to use spanking when talking, time out, or anything else works. I was not raised with spanking, but, did spank my own child. I seldom spank my grandaughter, who lives with me, mainly because she's hard to catch. That is not intended to be a joke, but seriously, she has deserved and spanking would have done a great deal more than the limited discipline that I do. With society today, kids know that they "could" get their parents, etc. into trouble by spanking and that has taken a lot of "power" and "the fear of God" away from parents. It worked on me, my daughters, and the rest of my family and we should be able to use it now. -- Neitha

I was spanked as a child and did spank my children and I believe it to be the best form of discipline. However, it is not spanking alone that works. Parents must be responsible enough to let the child know his limitations and stay consistent with why they are spanking their child. Also, spanking is the negative of the discipline but making sure the child knows exactly why he's getting the spanking and then loving them afterward is the positive side to it. Being sure your child knows you love them and want the best for them is a major responsiblity in a child's life. Spanking in anger should NEVER be done. The parents must always be in control of their emotions and mind, otherwise they're simply teaching the child to react to their environment instead of keeping control. -- Trish

There is nothing wrong with spanking a child if they really need it. I am not talking about punching or hitting a child. I am talking about a swat. I believe it does get their attention and that is what is lacking. Kids today are doing whatever they want and not being punished for it. Sometimes telling a child "no" is not enough. -- Carol

I feel as long as you spank responsible its a good thing to spank your child. If you are upset at what your child did wrong you should either wait until you calm down or your spouse should spank your child. You always see on television when someone is out of control the police beat them with what ever they have rather its a club or there fist, but when we as parents spank our children to get them to understand that there is consequences for their negative behavior a lot of professionals feel that its wrong. I feel spaanking is a good form of discipline for children, time out/away and loosing privileges are good, too, and you should use all the tools you can. -- LaShan

Sometimes spanking is necessary and depends on the child. -- D and C

Spanking is a good way to get the attention of your child in their young years, ages one to three or four along with a time out. I was always careful to never spank out of anger like my own father did. My daughter is 8-years-old now -- strong willed, intelligent, happy, and has great manners. Each child is different, but each one needs love and discipline. --Jackie

Yes, yes, yes!!!!! I was spanked as a child and I learned very quickly what was tolerated and what was not. I was spanked on the butt -- nowhere else. And you didn't laugh after a spanking (even if it didn't hurt) because you would get it worse. My mother did the spanking and all she had to do was call us by our first and middle name and we took off for the hills. Ever hear of "Spare the rod, spoil the child"? The parents and children now are rude, uncouth, sloppy, disrespectful and spoiled. Let's start with the parents and work down to the children. I turned out to be a really good citizen and adult. Thank you! -- Gail

Spanking is a necessary tool in every parents toolbox. I think a lot of people against spanking believe that those of us who do believe in spanking, use only spanking as a form of discipline, and thats not true. Sometimes a stern talking to will suffice. Sometimes though, your child needs a good spanking. I have been personal witness to a family member who only used "time out". 13 years later and the child needs and is getting professional help, because they are out of control. The most important thing is do it with love not anger. -- Dave in Las Vegas

I think there should be more of it. I am all for it! The parent is in charge, not the kids. Kids need to put in place until they are adults. They get away with too much, and Moms should stay home and raise kids until 18 years old. Not out working. The parent is still responsible for their actions until 18. They are not ADULTS, they are still kids. So instead of parents wanting to be their friend, the kid needs to know who is in charge! -- Rose

I was spanked as a child an grew up respectful and responsible, I spank my kids and I have been told that they are the most respectful and careing kids. These days kids are disrespectful. No consequences are given and most kids do care what you tell them. There is a difference between spanking and abuse, and I know some parents cross that line. But my children know why the are getting spanked and they are also told that I love them. -- Debbee

I am for spanking a child when talking does no good. I don't condone spanking with belts, coat hangers, switches, etc., not allowed. But a good old fashioned swat and I mean a hard swat, never hurt me. It got my attention. I grew up respecting my authority figures alot more than if I didn't get a good old fashioned butt kicking once in a while. -- Vickie

Spanking is what ignorant, weak and lazy parents do to control their children. They are too busy with their jobs, extra activities and social commitments to truly invest the time and effort it takes to raise their kids. Too many parents do not understand that discipline and punishment are two different things. Discipline is and every day 24 hour commitment to raising your children. With proper consistent discipline, punishment is rarely ever needed and should never be in the form of hitting. There have been conclusive studies that prove that children who are spanked have a lower self esteem, learn hitting is an acceptable form of retaliation and do not do as well in school and do not achieve their full potential as adults. The reason so many children are out of hand these days is not because they are not being spanked but because their parents are too busy and too tired these days to use consistence discipline to remedy a problem situation so they use their hand instead. It's easier. Children who are spanked react out of fear and intimidation instead of learning how to handle a situation in a rational manner. It's not easy to raise children. It's the hardest job you will ever do but so many parents put more thought into what kind of car or house they buy then in the full commitment it requires to raise a child. We have raised four children. Everyone has told me what a joy they are to have around. They have excellent manners, they do very well in school, they respect others and their parents and we have never laid a hand on them. They have known since they were very little exactly what was expected from them and we have never deviated from that. It is possible to raise wonderful children without hitting them! -- Adele

This should be a matter left up to the individual family. Personally, I think it is proper when all else fails. -- William

My husband and I do use spanking as a form of discipline, and I have very strong feelings on the subject, as most individuals do. But this is an issue which needs to be approached with and air of graciousness by both sides. We do not simply punish our children, we discipline them. The word discipline comes from the root word "disciple" which means to teach. Spanking ought to be used in conjunction with teaching and training, not by itself. When my child does something wrong, first I need to determine if he acted out of ignorance or defiance. If he was simply ignorant, then this is a teaching moment. If he was defiant, I usually give one and ONLY one warning, then the next step may be a spanking; given without anger or frustration, in a predictable number of swats showing parental self-control, with discipleship (teaching) and reconcilliation afterward. This is truly a sacrifice of a parent's time. But if child rearing is not a sacrifice, then it is nothing! My parents did spank me when I was growing up, but it was not usually done this way. It was almost always in anger, and likely would have been considered abusive. This is the stigma attatched to spanking today, because most people don't realize that there is a right way to do it. A very clear example of this stigma is illustrated in the graphics that this news station chose to use for its commercial "draw" to advertise the special report. Unfortunately, this is probably how mostpeople view the issue, therefore it was quite appropriately used. When deciding how to discipline my children, I could very easily have hit or spanked them in anger, and then irresponsibly blamed my parents for my actions based on the way they raised me. Rather, I decided that I would grow up and take responsibility for my actions, love my children with my whole heart and make the sacrifices necessary to teach them to take responsibility for their own actions. Sincere apologies or restitution from the offender to the offended are often neglected by many parents as an important part of this character training. Spanking is a beautiful tool to be used in parenting along with character training. Spanking is not a "vent" for angry parents to use as a substitute for real teaching. When an angry or frustrated parent spanks, she will teach her child to lash out at others when he is angry. When a loving and "intentional" parent spanks, she will teach him accountability, respect for authority, and she will show sacrificial parental love! My three favorite child rearing resources are "Shepherding a Child's Heart" by Tedd Tripp, "Don't Make Me Count to Three" by Ginger Plowman, and the Holy Bible. -- Rebecca

Adele: Your comments are well-stated, I especially commend you for your comment: "Spanking is what ignorant, weak and lazy parents do to control their children. They are too busy with their jobs, extra activities and social commitments to truly invest the time and effort it takes to raise their kids. Too many parents do not understand that discipline and punishment are two different things. Discipline is and every day 24 hour commitment to raising your children. With proper consistent discipline, punishment is rarely ever needed and should never be in the form of hitting." Hitting children is also hypocritical--our laws and our cultural values are unambiguous concerning adults who physically hit, attack or verbally threaten other adults. Such behavior is recognized as criminal, and we hold the perpetrator accountable. Why then, when so much is at stake for society, do we accept the excuses of child hitters, batterers? The one thing all prisoners have in common--they were all victims of spanking, a.k.a. corporal punishment. If hitting/ corporal punishment was a fool proof deterrant to unacceptable behavior, why then are prisons filled with people who received corporal punishment? If corporal punishment deters unacceptable behavior only those who never received corporal punishment would be in prison. Why do we become interested n the needs of children only AFTER they have been terribly victimized, or have become delinquents victimizing others? The answer is not complicated. People cannot have empathy toward abused children until they can honestly acknowledge the mistreatment from their childhood experiences and examine the shortcomings of their parents. To the extent people feel compelled to defend their parents and guard their secrets, they will do the same for others. They will doggedly defend what they experienced as a guard against any emotional pain. By continually insisting that they 'turned out okay,' they are reassuring themselves and diverting their attention from deeply hidden unpleasant memories. This is why, when anyone says, 'spanking is abue,' many people react as though a door barricaded since infancy has been smashed open. This barricaded, unconscious door has prevented them from committing the most dangerous most unpardonable act of disloyalty imaginable, disloyalty to their parents. They are afraid that by opening the door they might fall through into an abyss--abandoned and cut off from any possibility of reconcilation with the parents they love. The fear is irrational. Denial about what was done to them, and, now, what they are doing and allowing to be done to the next generation--is the real danger and the real sin. Reconciliation and healing can only begin with an acknowledgment of the truth. It is futile to hope that lies, evasions and excuses can somehow erase the memory and the pain of past emotional injuries caused by spanking. -- Dorothy, PhD

My parents spanked my brother and me while we were growing up. Mother was the type of spanker that could get abusive. Dad, on the other hand, waited until he had calmed down and you had had a chance to think about why you were going to get that spanking. His approach is the better of the two. When a parent strikes out in anger, they may not really be punishing the child for wrong behavor but letting out anger that has been building up inside of them. It was my mother that spanked me. I would have rather had Dad do it, because my mother got harsh beyond a normal spanking. That kind of spanking is wrong and would, in this time and age, be regarded as child abuse. The correct method of spanking will not inspire violence. Abusive spank could. A parent should think a little first about why they are going to spank a child to avoid falling into the area of abuse. The Bible tells us that if you spare the rod, you spoil the child. Only when the spanking gets out of hand does it constitute abuse. -- Scottie