I cannot stand some people...

[CDSmith]

Originally Posted by PornoDoggy

Look, I'm an old hippie. The activist/comedian Dick Gregory used to say "There are no illegitimate children, but there are plenty of illegitimate parents running around." That designation can apply to a lot more than marital status.

Between my father, my mother, and my stepmother I had excellent parenting role models. As long as I figured out what they would have done in any given situation and then did the exact opposite, I did fine.

My experience (both as a parent and grandparent) and observation tells me that corporal punishment is one of the least effective child discipline practices. I go beyond considering spanking as an "easy way"; it's a lazy way. Parenting takes work. Dealing with problems, including discipline problems, takes hard work.

I have no illusions that becoming a parent makes one qualified to raise children. That being said, if your attitude toward proper child rearing techniques doesn't change once you have one of the little critters, you are a damned fool.

Although I agree with several of your points and applaud a few of the other comments you made, your last comment leads me to suspect you of being the fool, actually. Why? Because you obviously missed the whole point I put forth that 1) there is no "one right way or answer" for all parents or to this issue, and 2) in reading back on my earlier posts it is pretty clear to me that I said "sometimes" "some kids" could use a spanking.... not always, not all... but some. This suggests that I meant it to be only a part of disciplinary measures, only part of parenting, as in not the whole of it. A part.

As in there are other parts to the equation.

Comprende?

Spanking is not always the lazy way. Sometimes it is the necessary way. Don't like it? Fine, if your little darlings turn out perfectly wonderful more power to you. Not everyone is the same as you sir. Fact is, in general, kids out there have LESS respect for adults, less respect for authority and less regard for private property than ever before, and there has to be a reason for it. One fact that could be a contributor is that in the home and in schools there is far LESS real punishment/consequences than there was 25+ years ago. Is that the only reason? Probably not, but it appears to be an obvious one.

You are absolutely right though about it taking hard work. And commitment, and consitency and 100 other things. Many about-to-be's have no idea what they're in for.

You know, another thing that is "the easy way out" that a lot of parents take is putting their kids in the other room in front of the TV or video game and keeping them occupied day after day that way. Then there are the kids who have a computer, full stereo, and their own phone line right in their bedroom. Sending them to their room sure sounds like punishment, or a vacation. Times have sure changed since I was a kid, in that regard.

Agree, don't agree, whatever... but it would be nice for once to come to a board and be able to have a good heated discussion without having the name-calling "fool" BS going on. Wouldn't it?