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Survey reveals 70% of Japanese adults believe corporal punishment is necessary

74 Comments
By Krista Rogers, SoraNews24

In 2019, the number of births in Japan numbered fewer than 87,000–a staggering new low amid decades of decline. The country’s declining birthrate continued to be a widely discussed societal issue last year along with a series of highly visible child abuse incidents. In order to combat the latter, the Amended Child Abuse Prevention Act, originally proposed to the National Diet by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare back in March, will prohibit corporal punishment when it takes effect this coming April. Last month the ministry also released guidelines in preparation for the impending legislation which define types of corporal punishment and strategies to combat child abuse.

In light of these new developments, Japanese travel provider Air Trip conducted an Internet survey in mid-December on topics related to the use of corporal punishment when disciplining children as well as child abuse, to gauge the general public’s reactions. There were 796 male and female respondents to the survey ranging in age from their 20s to 70s. Of these individuals, 456 have children of their own while 340 do not have any children. Let’s take a look at all six of the survey questions in greater detail and their corresponding results.

Survey Questions

Q 1: [For those with children] Have you ever struck your child/been about to strike your child? 

The survey results revealed that of the 456 respondents with children, 49.8 percent have struck a child before and 26.1 percent have been about to strike a child.

Q 2: Do you believe that corporal punishment is necessary when disciplining children?

For a little context, we’ve seen examples of corporal punishment in Japan this year go viral online and be hotly debated, including this teacher punching a student and a mother smacking her child. The majority of survey takers replied that the use of corporal punishment was at least occasionally necessary when disciplining children. Among those with their own children, 70.6 percent said that it was necessary on a daily basis or occasionally, while 67.4 percent of those without their own children said the same.

Q 3: The other day the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare released guidelines on corporal punishment. What do you think of them creating these guidelines?

Among all survey respondents, 50.8 percent had no opinion on the guidelines, 35.8 percent approved of them, and 13.4 percent opposed them.

Those who approved of the guidelines provided reasons such as “Adults these days are lacking in common sense so it’s necessary to spell things out for them” and “The definition of corporal punishment changes with the times so it’s best to be clear.” Those who opposed the guidelines provided reasons such as “Every household has a different style of parenting so it’s impossible to standardize guidelines in one manual” and “Even if guidelines are in place those who abuse children will continue to do it.”

Q 4: Within the corporal punishment guidelines released the other day by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, out of the concrete examples given as corporal punishment, please choose the ones that you consider to be corporal punishment.

Quick note: this particular question seems to comprise a looser definition of corporal punishment including punishments that are not directly physical but may encompass emotional abuse as well.

Both of the groups with and without children selected “Saying ‘I wish you were never born’ as a joke” as the most agreed-upon example of abuse (69.7 percent with children and 80 percent without children). The other examples in decreasing order of general consensus included “Not giving them dinner for not doing their homework,” “criticizing or ignoring only one sibling,” “hitting them because they hit a friend,” “slapping their cheek because they wouldn’t listen after you warned them,” and “making them sit seiza-style for a long time because they pulled a prank.”

The example with the least amount of general consensus was “Spanking them for stealing someone else’s things” (38.4 percent with children and 40.3 percent without children). A very small number of respondents also did not classify any of the examples as corporal punishment.

Q 5: What do you think about the punishments for child abuse by parents in present-day Japan?

Current law stipulates that offenders will serve under a year of penal servitude or pay under one million yen in fines. Those parents whose abuse results in the death of a child will serve between 3-20 years. Presently, neither life imprisonment nor the death penalty are stipulated by law.

Out of the survey respondents, 66 percent thought these penalties are too lax, 22.7 percent did not know, 7.8 percent thought they are appropriate, and 3.5 percent thought they are too strict.

Q 6: What needs to be done to stop child abuse by parents?

58.8 percent of all survey takers agreed that an expansion of parent consultation centers for parents was the most necessary countermeasure for change. The only three other responses that scored over 50 percent in general consensus included an expansion of temporary child protection shelters, proactive police intervention, and early intervention by child consultation centers.

The lowest-ranking response (besides “Other”) at 21.6 percent was a change in the duty and acquisition of paternity leave (i.e., a rethinking of traditional gender roles in Japan), which experts recently voiced as a prerequisite for raising the country’s declining birthrate.

All in all, it seems like Japanese parents still have yet to completely agree on what actually constitutes corporal punishment when disciplining their children. Perhaps an awareness campaign surrounding the government’s recently released guidelines will go a long way towards building a general consensus before the new law goes into effect early next year.

Source: @Press

Read more stories from SoraNews24.

-- Survey by Japanese ministry reveals high rates of “maternity harassment” in workplace

-- Japan’s prime minister wants to make it illegal for parents to hit kids when disciplining them

-- Sending naughty kids to bed without dinner may soon be illegal in Japan

© SoraNews24

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74 Comments
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If you need to use violence to parent/discipline your child, you're not doing a good job. My parents never raised a hand against me, and I still received punishment appropriate to my bad behaviour. A child can be taught consequences without the threat of violence.

7 ( +18 / -11 )

Corporal punishment breeds discipline and builds character.

Demonstrably false. This is 2020, not 1920.

Do your kids a favor.

and don’t punish them physically.

Provide them with discipline and leadership and teach them that life is hard and sometimes they have to suck it up and deal it.

All if which can be done without physically harming a child.

7 ( +17 / -10 )

Corporal punishment is barbaric, especially in a country with a 99% conviction rate. Criminal behaviour should be corrected and criminals rehabilitated.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

This is the second time today I'll use the word 'draconian' when referring to a part of Japanese culture. The amount of times I've witnessed children being struck by parents in public astonishes me. And, it's not just a smack on the bottom. I've seen kids smacked to the ground, a women pinching the thigh of her 6-7 year old daughter until she screamed, I saw one father smack his teenage son so hard on the top of the head it nearly knocked him out and I can't count the amount of times I've seen kids/toddlers being dragged along by their callous parent. Then, there are the being locked on balconies, in cupboards, in bathrooms, punched and kicked. There is a huge difference between corporal punishment and child abuse. Unfortunately, from what I have witnessed it is not corporal punishment at all. It is malicious child abuse.

10 ( +16 / -6 )

I suspect that the 70% of adults had it done to them and see no reason why anyone else should get off any more lightly.

14 ( +16 / -2 )

Do your kids a favor.

Interesting. You are literally encouraging people to hit children so that ....they can grow up to be the type of person who encourages people to hit children just like you?

As a parent let me think on that.....NO THANKS!

5 ( +8 / -3 )

Both of the groups with and without children selected “Saying ‘I wish you were never born’ as a joke” as the most agreed-upon example of abuse (69.7 percent with children and 80 percent without children). The other examples in decreasing order of general consensus included “Not giving them dinner for not doing their homework,” “criticizing or ignoring only one sibling,” “hitting them because they hit a friend,” “slapping their cheek because they wouldn’t listen after you warned them,” and “making them sit seiza-style for a long time because they pulled a prank.”

Obviously, some Japanese don't even understand the most basic and core definitions of corporal punishment. Next, they'll be saying hitting people is not criminal assault.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

 fewer than 87,000–

WRONG!!!!

https://www.nippon.com/en/news/yjj2019122400631/births-in-japan-to-fall-below-900-000-in-2019-for-1st-time.html

so what does that say about the rest of this fluff piece?

gary

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

Physical punishment only lingers long enough to send the message about unacceptable behavior and that it has consequences.

What had replaced it is either no action at all (lack of consequences, I can do anything I want!) or psychological punishment. which lasts a lifetime and causes kids to turn into messed up adults.

im not talking about child abuse, which liberals try to turn corporal punishment into. 2 separate things, of course no child should be abused. Corporal punishment, yes when needed.

-3 ( +6 / -9 )

WRONG!!!!

Yeah, nah it’s supposed to be 870,000 (i.e. below 900,000) bro. Just a mistake by an amateur translator who dropped a zero.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

I do not believe, nobody should strike anybody ,especially a defendless child

6 ( +9 / -3 )

What needs to be done to stop child abuse by parents?

It takes a generation or two of enlightenment. My wife was abused by her parents, and she had a tendency to drop the same on her children; I was never physically abused and tried to rein her in whenever possible. My kids? I suspect they'll adopt my more psychological, zero physical approach with their offspring. It's not just morals: It works better.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

I do not believe, nobody should strike anybody ,especially a defendless child

So... everybody should?

Don't underestimate the power of good grammar!

0 ( +5 / -5 )

Anybody who uses physical punishment against a child should go back to living in the trees because they have not evolved passed a chimpanzee.

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

If you need gov't guidelines to tell you how to raise your kids ... don't have kids.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Interesting re polls and the populace's beliefs and govt legislation.

The People - 70% agree on corporal punishment. The Govt - against.

The People - 80% agree on capital punishment. The Govt - for.

The People - 70% agree on halting nuclear power. The Govt - against.

The People - 65% disagreed on dissolving govt for election. The Govt - against.

Many other cases exist whereby the official govt position is the one that suits them and not truly one that follows the voice of the people. And when it does, they (govt) use it to justify legislation because it's what the people want ie. capital punishment.

In the articles case of corporal punishment, the people vs govt the difference is quite marked with the govt probably acknowledging corp. punish. is impacting on society resulting in many of the despicable public child abuse cases of recent times and wishes to create more awareness. But the majority of people don't apparently see the connection.

Funny in a not Ha, Ha way.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Violence inherits violence. It is contagious.

I would not be surprised that 70% of Japanese adults still believe corporal punishment is necessary. Japanese still do not understand fully why their ancestors were defeated in the war with American soldiers who were trained virtually without any corporal punishment.

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

@Do the hustle

Anybody who uses physical punishment against a child should go back to living in the trees because they have not evolved passed a chimpanzee.

Human species are far more violent than chimpanzees. Probably, Homo sapiens sapiens is the most violent species ever in the entire history of Earth. They kill each other.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

Daily? No.

A swat on the bum to get attention once every few years, sure.

I suppose the swat isn't really punishment, since it shouldn't be THAT hard.

Every kid is different. Just because one child never needs their attention focused doesn't mean there aren't others who do much more often.

Every kid is different.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Mention "positive reinforcement" instead of violence towards children, and most J parents look at you like you're delusional. There is never, never a justifiable reason to physically abuse a child (or adult). Sadly though, we live in an 'institutionalized bullying' society. Hopefully attitudes will change in the future.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Corporal punishment helped make me a better person. Do not confuse it with physical abuse. It goes against the new age "progressive" thought, I guess, but I am not a progressive anyway.

0 ( +7 / -7 )

The results are interesting. I also find it interesting that among the comments here, it seems that people who were spanked themselves as a child tend to think spanking is okay, while those that were not believe that there are better ways to discipline kids.

I'm the opposite. My parents spanked us, and I can tell you that it made no difference in correcting either my behavior the behavior of my brothers and sisters. It just made me mad, and it felt wrong and unfair. Actually, I have a VERY clear memory of my father sitting me down and explaining to me exactly why I was wrong to kick the wall when I was angry, and after that talk I never did anything like that ever again. His sincerity and lack of anger made a HUGE impression on me. I didn't want to disappoint him like that ever again.

I have no children myself (do not want any, LOL) but I observe the differing parenting styles of my friends, and I have noticed that the parents who talk to their kids in an adult way not only have better relationships with their kids, but their kids trust them more.

My mother used to get hysterical and scream at us when she was frustrated and then smack us, and as a result we sort of dismissed her. That is, there was no respect when all she ever did was yell at us and hit us.

I would not support a law that told parents how to parent, since that seems like a huge imposition on personal freedom. But at the same time, the government should definitely do more to get information out to parents and discourage spanking. Providing parenting classes and literature on better parenting, for example.

6 ( +11 / -5 )

Because it is far better to attack a child than sit down and explain why something that occurred is right or wrong?

Total BS....

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Maybe corporal punishment is not needed, but 6-9 weeks of US military boot camp can turn any disrespectful unruly snot into a respectful, disciplined man or woman. I say send all the kids (minus the buzzcut - that's outdated and sxist as women can keep their hair) and we'll see a kinder and mutually respectful society .

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

6-9 weeks of US military boot camp

US military boot camp is mind control, programming. Far worse than a mere slap across the rear end. It's designed to destroy a person's will and turn him into an obedient robot. "Ours not to reason why, ours but to do or die!" Duh!

5 ( +7 / -2 )

kurisupisuToday  01:04 pm JST

Because it is far better to attack a child than sit down and explain why something that occurred is right or wrong?

Total BS....

No. I, for one, am definitely NOT saying you should 'attack a child.' However , many times an explanation is not even a decent deterrent because kids don't even understand what you mean. You need to show that there are consequences for bad behavior, disrespect, etc. You don't really think all kids understand or abide by an explanation, do you?

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

Spare the rod, spoil the child.

-8 ( +3 / -11 )

It’s sad that people are willing to risk the mental health of their children. All the relevant research suggests that hitting kids is bad for them.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

You need to show that there are consequences for bad behavior, disrespect, etc. You don't really think all kids understand or abide by an explanation, do you?

I know for a fact that no dog understands or abides by an explanation. I also know that dogs don’t understand the idea of consequences for bad behaviour.

Yet dogs can and do learn good behaviour, without needing to be hit or even yelled at.

I’m not suggesting that raising a child is equivalent to training a dog, or that children can or should be looked on as animals - quite the opposite.

If it’s possible to teach a dog good manners without resorting to physical punishment - which it clearly is - why on earth would anyone choose to (try to) teach a child good manners by hitting him?

All corporal punishment teaches is that it’s OK to get physical to get your own way.

Positive methods require more patience, planning and a clear idea of the desired end result. It’s proactive (setting the child up to succeed), not reactive (waiting for the child to misbehave then clocking him one round the ear).

As for corporal punishment being ‘necessary on a daily basis’ - obviously if you’re hitting the child daily and he’s still misbehaving, then IT ISN’T WORKING.

9 ( +11 / -2 )

I support it. But I think it should be done ONLY when it’s necessary. Of course you should try and talk to your kids, but if everything and all else fails, then by all means, it’s ok to use it.

-7 ( +3 / -10 )

"My mother used to get hysterical and scream at us when she was frustrated and then smack us, and as a result we sort of dismissed her."

Wow. Exactly my experience -- and I had thought I was the only person in the world that had suffered this type of treatment. Thank you to the brave individual whom posted this experience... just keep in mind that the sword is strengthened by the fire!

6 ( +7 / -1 )

People have a Strange notion that punishment produces good people, that we learn to be ethical, moral, caring people by punishment. Add to that some people here believe only violent punishment can do it. But who refrains from doing evil because of fear of punishment? No one I would want to know.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

People have a Strange notion that punishment produces good people,

A lot of people that received corporal punishment aren’t bad and a lot of people that didn’t get it are good. It just depends on the person.

that we learn to be ethical, moral, caring people by punishment. Add to that some people here believe only violent punishment can do it.

I think that’s taking it a little bit out of context.

-9 ( +1 / -10 )

@bass4funk

If only research supported your opinion. It does not. As for context, why would people hit a child if they didn’t believe violent punishment produced a good person? Unless they have their own emotional issues - which is very likely in at least a percentage of those doing it.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

I think it should be done ONLY when it’s necessary. 

What kind of behaviour would you consider made it necessary to hit the child?

Why do you think an otherwise well-behaved child would suddenly resort to such extreme behaviour?

Why do you think physicality would work in such a situation?

8 ( +9 / -1 )

In a recent conducted study, 70% of those who took a survey, agreed that those who agree with Corporal Punishment should have Corporal Punishment done to them by by an Iraqi under Sharia Law.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Cleo is quite correct. Whereas it's not possible to explain in words to a very small child that he should or shouldn't do whatever, it is possible to get this across so that he or she gets it. I taught our dog to poo on demand. Much easier and cleaner than picking up his "souvenirs" in the park. When it came time for "walkies," I put him on the veranda. When he started pooing, I praised him for it, using his name, "good boy" and "poo" a lot. He got the point immediately. No need to "push his nose in it," or punish him in any way. Animals and humans both respond to a bit of admiration.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

I support it. But I think it should be done ONLY when it’s necessary. Of course you should try and talk to your kids, but if everything and all else fails, then by all means, it’s ok to use it.

Only failures of parents have to resort to corporal punishment.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

If only research supported your opinion. It does not.

There are many debatable opinions and research that agree and disagree depending on where you lean.

As for context, why would people hit a child if they didn’t believe violent punishment produced a good person?

Sometimes talking to children doesn’t work, sometimes you need to give them a lesson especially if they refuse or unwilling to change a behavioral flaw.

Unless they have their own emotional issues - which is very likely in at least a percentage of those doing it.

True, but most people I know that were at times physically disciplined turned out to be fine and decent people.

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

The less-educated tend to still think corporal punishment is ok. Hitting a kid is because you want a quick result but can't be bothered thinking of any other way. Unfortunately, it just doesn't work and often only creates another generation of hitters.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

bass4funkToday  07:03 pm JST

If only research supported your opinion. It does not.

There are many debatable opinions and research that agree and disagree depending on where you lean.

In your imagination, perhaps. Find me good research that shows that hitting kids is beneficial and free of risk.

Sometimes talking to children doesn’t work, sometimes you need to give them a lesson especially if they refuse or unwilling to change a behavioral flaw.

yes, the magic word is "behavior." It's very true that you can modify behavior by punishment and even more effectively with violent punishment. Leaving aside that behaviorists don't condone corporal punishment, they also aren't much interested in the inner life of children.

True, but most people I know that were at times physically disciplined turned out to be fine and decent people.

Yes, personal anecdotes are like that. I'll trust the research and experts. Not you who cannot produce any good studies let alone recognize consensus. Scientific consensus affirming the benefits of smacking kids is an impossible dream for you. I wonder why it's so hard for people to give up hitting kids even in the face of reason and even when the risks are so clear? Why? Ponder that!

4 ( +5 / -1 )

In your imagination, perhaps. Find me good research that shows that hitting kids is beneficial and free of risk. 

I don’t need to, but as with climate change you have your believers and non-believers and evidence to support both arguments, I’m a parent and when it’s necessary I do discipline my kids, they’re fine and luckily I don’t need to do it so often, but I would never allow the government or anyone to tell me what works and what doesn’t, they don’t even need to try, I’ll determine that as a parent.

yes, the magic word is "behavior." It's very true that you can modify behavior by punishment and even more effectively with violent punishment. Leaving aside that behaviorists don't condone corporal punishment, they also aren't much interested in the inner life of children. 

Another debatable viewpoint.

Yes, personal anecdotes are like that. I'll trust the research and experts. Not you who cannot produce any good studies let alone recognize consensus. Scientific consensus affirming the benefits of smacking kids is an impossible dream for you. I wonder why it's so hard for people to give up hitting kids even in the face of reason and even when the risks are so clear? Why? Ponder that!

I don’t think it has anything to do with hard or not hard, you do what you think is right. I would never tell another parent how to raise their kids and I wouldn’t want a parent telling me as well. I was disciplined and I turned out fine, didn’t scar me one bit. I have a good life, successful. I thank my parents for properly disciplining me and to help make me the man I am today.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

> > bass4funkToday  08:15 pm JST

 ...as with climate change you have your believers and non-believers...

very true, there are people that think everything is a 50/50 proposition and who won’t accept scientific consensus no matter how obvious. It’s a kind of relativism. What WOULD change your mind if evidence doesn’t? What would you do if you realized that you had put your kids at risk for depression, drug addiction, suicide? It might be too terrible for your psyche. Humans are irrational but laws have to, one hopes, have some rational basis - which is why it absolutely CAN enforce a limit. But if the marks you leave are emotional, then yes, it’s only the future that is your judge.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Discipline and corporal punishment should not be confused.

They’re not the same thing.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

Discipline and corporal punishment should not be confused.

They’re not the same thing.

That depends on your point of view.

very true, there are people that think everything is a 50/50 proposition and who won’t accept scientific consensus no matter how obvious. It’s a kind of relativism. What WOULD change your mind if evidence doesn’t?

Nothing.

What would you do if you realized that you had put your kids at risk for depression, drug addiction, suicide?

I have a very large family, not one person has any or is suffering from any of these conditions

It might be too terrible for your psyche. Humans are irrational but laws have to, one hopes, have some rational basis - which is why it absolutely CAN enforce a limit. But if the marks you leave are emotional, then yes, it’s only the future that is your judge.

Well, they’re not so....

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

The problem with "studies" is that they don't take into account all the data. The "study" above was made of the opinions of nearly 800 people about corporal punishment. Someone suggested that studies of the effects of corporal punishment be cited. This would be the numbers of children and how they react to corporal punishment.

But how could every corporal punishment the same?

Supposing a survey was done on the effects of corporal punishment on children. Were ALL the data taken into account?

What was said before and during the administration of the punishment? It's hardly likely to be the same. Was the child punished justly - did the punishment fit the crime? Was the punishment administered because the parent concerned was throwing a tantrum or was it adjudicated and administered sanely? Did the child have a chance to present his point of view? Were these children all the same age? Were any of the children surveyed ill, tired, reacting to something? If the child was hit, with what force was the blow delivered? Did blood flow? Was there a bruise afterwards? Was the child also ridiculed in front of friends? Siblings? Other children in the class? Were the parents drunk? On drugs? Was the child on drugs? Were the people replying to the survey telling the truth?

This kind of study is always flawed because it regards each component as equal to all other components. If all the situations in every case were exactly the same, analysis and percentages might make sense. But this is impossible.

70% of the nearly 800 people surveyed answered that they believe that corporal punishment is necessary. Yet the headline would have us believe that this represents the view of all adult Japanese.

It's nonsense.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

70% of the nearly 800 people surveyed answered that they believe that corporal punishment is necessary. Yet the headline would have us believe that this represents the view of all adult Japanese.

It's nonsense.

How would you know this?

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

For my own experience, light spank on bottom or hand was allowed, and effective . . . some advocate using denial of a child's favorite activity, e.g. watching TV, etc. . . . .

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Discipline and corporal punishment should not be confused.

They’re not the same thing.

That depends on your point of view.

Mmm, no, the dictionary says they’re different things.

Kids need discipline; guidance, boundaries, help in getting things right.

They don’t need the threat of violence from the very people they are relying on to keep them safe.

Too many people seem to think that there are only two alternatives: Either beat kids into submission, or allow them to run completely wild. Whether it’s kids or dogs, both approaches are flawed.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Mmm, no, the dictionary says they’re different things. 

Ok, but I could care less what the dictionary says, it’s not raising my kids.

Kids need discipline; guidance, boundaries, help in getting things right.

I agree.

They don’t need the threat of violence from the very people they are relying on to keep them safe.

I don’t see it as violence, I see it as caring, you don’t, we just have a different viewpoint.

Too many people seem to think that there are only two alternatives: Either beat kids into submission, or allow them to run completely wild. Whether it’s kids or dogs, both approaches are flawed.

No, there are many alternatives and you should always do what works best for you and your family.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

A child can be taught consequences without the threat of violence.

Only when they reach a certain age. You can't explain verbally to a 6 month child that biting is bad.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Only when they reach a certain age. You can't explain verbally to a 6 month child that biting is bad

Guess you have no idea on how to raise a child, If nursing is proper than there should not be any biting, If the child is biting than there are many ways to subtly coach the child to not to bite, and screaming, threat of violence is a definite no no.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

You can't explain verbally to a 6 month child that biting is bad.

Nor will hitting said 6-month old teach him anything- except that the people supposedly caring for him are violent and unpredictable.

If the only way you can think of to deal with a baby is to hit it, then seriously, you should not be attempting to parent that child. You need help.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Nor will hitting said 6-month old teach him anything- except that the people supposedly caring for him are violent and unpredictable.

Most people I know got hit or slapped, far different from being bludgeoned, if that’s the case then that would constitute as pure physical violence, that’s not what anyone is advocating here.

If the only way you can think of to deal with a baby is to hit it, then seriously, you should not be attempting to parent that child. You need help.

My grandma raised 13 children and they raised in total 37 children and among us 27 children, not a single person is scared, depressed or suffering from some form of PTSD, not one and every single one of 13 and 37 of these raised children are successful and I personally think getting whacked every now and helped in achieving that goal. I and my siblings never, ever blamed my folks for an occasional spanking, quite the opposite. Personally, I think a lot of kids in this country need it because the way the act often at times would just never be tolerated where I grew up, but then again, I don’t have to worry because they’re not my kids.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

BertieWoosterJan. 1 09:51 pm JST

The problem with "studies" is that they don't take into account all the data. The "study" above

Come on, now. You don't know the difference between a survey and a study?

When people say "studies show" they are talking about published, peer-reviewed research done by specialists in the field, not an online poll. Polls show trends in beliefs among the general population. Studies provide evidence for a theory.

Also note the plural - "studies", which means means the results can be replicated. The consensus on this issue is really is quite clear: spanking does more harm than good.

I'm noting a lot of people saying "I was hit and I'm fine" or "my parents raised x number of kids and none of us show (negative symptoms)."

Well, my parents had 8 children, and it is easy to observe the effect it had in how they treat their own children now. My older sister, for example, screeches at her son and daughter and even calls them horrible names. I have even heard her call her 16 year old daughter an "effing" b word. One of my younger brothers also treats his girls quite roughly, and it has veered into abuse territory more than once. Where did they get the idea to behave like that towards their kids? From our mother. It's quite sad, really.

And honestly, I think the biggest effect that physical punishment had on us was that we became callous and indifferent towards this kind of violence. Oh yes - that is a real thing that happens. The effects are easy to see you are willing to really look, and will admit to yourself that your parents made some mistakes.

Frankly, I don't think there is any way to physically punish a child without anger, because the anger comes first, and without that, you wouldn't feel the need to hit the child in the first place. And hitting someone in anger is not correction. It's violence.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Most people I know got hit or slapped

When they were six months old???

I personally think getting whacked every now and helped 

When you were six months old???

You stated higher up the thread that you supported corporal punishment ONLY when it’s necessary........if everything and all else fails

Now you say your aunts, uncles, parents, cousins and siblings grew up constantly being thwacked. What on earth were you all doing that was so dire to earn you so many smacks?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

When they were six months old???

A light slap on the hand, sure.

I personally think getting whacked every now and helped 

When you were six months old???

I can’t remember that far back, my parents told me, I didn’t need much spanking but when I was older and in my teens on occasion, yes indeed.

You stated higher up the thread that you supported corporal punishment ONLY when it’s necessary........if everything and all else fails.

That is correct.

Now you say your aunts, uncles, parents, cousins and siblings grew up constantly being thwacked.

Because those times according to my Nana stories were necessary.

What on earth were you all doing that was so dire to earn you so many smacks?

Teenage stupid stuff. But I have always been thankful on how may folks raised me, how my grandparents raised my parents and as a parent myself, I’m proud of how my kids turned out. You did what you have to or need to do. A few weeks ago, I was with my family dining in a very nice restaurant along the beach and two tables behind us was a family who’s kids were running up and down the aisles, being overly loud, not listening to the parents and the parents not caring about the other people trying to relax and enjoy their meal. Rude and selfish. There is no way on God’s green Earth that I would ever allow any of my kids to do something like that. Now the parents told their kids over and over and over again to stop and they didn’t, I know that wouldn’t put up with that.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Punishment without understanding is a mistake.

A parent should explain why something was wrong, and then punish. Physical abuse won’t solve anything.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

A light slap on the hand, sure.

Do please explain what kind of bad behaviour a baby could indulge in that would earn a slap after all and everything else has failed.

The courts are full of deadbeat dads who tried to ‘discipline’ their baby by hitting it.

 a family who’s kids were running up and down the aisles, being overly loud, not listening to the parents and the parents not caring 

Not hitting your kids doesn’t mean not disciplining them. You were unlucky enough to come across kids who were not disciplined. If they were properly disciplined they would not misbehave and would not ‘need’ punishment.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

My mother used to get hysterical and scream at us when she was frustrated and then smack us, and as a result we sort of dismissed her. That is, there was no respect when all she ever did was yell at us and hit us.

The only time my mother ever smacked me was also when she had simply had enough. But it only happened perhaps two times in my entire childhood. It sounds like it was a regular occurrence in your case, and I can understand it had little (good) effect. In my case, I leaned there were limits to people's tolerance - not a bad thing I think. But I think my mother would have been confused by the question of whether corporal punishment is "necessary". It wasn't something she ever planned or considered.

As Cleo says, discipline is something else. Put your toys away before watching TV, etc.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Do please explain what kind of bad behaviour a baby could indulge in that would earn a slap after all and everything else has failed.

Anything that it should not be doing or what the parent deems as inappropriate and by the way, a tiny slap on the hand won’t hurt or scar the child, you hit it with the force of a pitcher, that would be insane.

The courts are full of deadbeat dads who tried to ‘discipline’ their baby by hitting it.

Well, if they abuse the child excessively then they should be charged, locked up of the child should be taken away, no arguments here.

Not hitting your kids doesn’t mean not disciplining them. You were unlucky enough to come across kids who were not disciplined.

That’s a looooooooot of kids, a lot!

If they were properly disciplined they would not misbehave and would not ‘need’ punishment.

Yes, or a good old fashioned spanking in my opinion.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Corporal punishment is unnecessary and I never used it with my children

That’s your opinion and if you didn’t need to, that’s great, but some parents do.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Yes it is so allow me to have my opinion

You can and I’m allowed to respond.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Anything that it should not be doing

Come on bass, be specific. You’ve moved from corporal punishment only as a last resort when all else has failed, to slapping tiny babies whenever a parent thinks it’s appropriate. What behaviour can you possibly imagine that a six month old baby might get up to that is so inappropriate the parent’s only option is to smack?

Cos for the life of me, I cannot think of anything a baby could do that would warrant a smack or indeed punishment of any kind. A baby that young cannot speak, can barely even move around under its own steam, is incapable of any of the deliberately rebellious actions you might claim would earn a teenager a thwack.

So c’mon, advise us lesser mortals who have apparently got it all wrong; when exactly is it appropriate to hit a baby?

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

I personally think any parent allowing their kids to overrun them argue, get in their face challenge them, disobedient after being verbally scolded does need to be physically disciplined and if the parent allows their kids to misbehave, that’s on them, but a lot of us don’t and won’t put up with it.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

When my kids did something wrong or dangerous I just sat down and spoke with them explaining why their actions were wrong. There was never a need to hit any of them in over 20 years.

I applaud you for that. I was spanked maybe 3-4 times in life, other than that it was the same. My parents talked to me and they didn’t have to resort to spanking, now my two sisters were monsters, it didn’t matter what they would say to them, talking didn’t work usually, so they had to resort to spanking and when that happened, it was all peaceful again and order ruled supreme.

My grandchildren are also treated in the same way.

I got a long way to go before that point.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

argue, get in their face challenge them, disobedient after being verbally scolded does need to be physically disciplined

So your parenting is reactive, not proactive.

When was the last time you saw a six-month old baby argue, get in anyone's face, challenge or be disobedient? Earning itself *A light slap on the hand, *sure?

Invalid CSRF

1 ( +1 / -0 )

In 2019, the number of births in Japan numbered fewer than 87,000

That figure cannot be correct.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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