Hot Topic (11/16): Spanking ban proposed in France . . . good idea?

[Cafe GroupAdmin]

French lawmaker proposes bill to outlaw spanking children

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS (CP)

PARIS — A French lawmaker says she has proposed a bill to ban corporal punishment, including spanking of children.

National Assembly member and pediatrician Edwige Antier says she believes spanking makes children more "sly, lying and aggressive."

The lawmaker says that after 38 years of medical practice she believes that "children who have never been spanked are better behaved, listen more to adults and are more respectful of their authority."

Antier, a member of President Nicolas Sarkozy's conservative party, says 18 European countries already outlaw spanking. Her comments appeared Sunday in Le Parisien newspaper.

French schools are banned from using corporal punishment, but no law prevents parents from spanking their children.

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Do you think spanking makes children "sly, lying and aggressive"? 

Should countries outlaw spanking?  Why or why not?

[LollaLeeLou]

Absolutely no question in my mind. We've all heard it before, provide a model for the behaviour you want to see in your child. If you want your child to be agressive and out of control then hit him/her.

*To those who may take offense to the word "hit" above - spanking is hitting, whether you like it or not. Funny that if you ask someone if they hit their child they would adamantly say "No!" but would fully admit to spanking.

Looking forward to the day when spanking is banned in the U.S.

[Aldea]

No I don't believe a spanking makes children lie, sly, or aggressive.

No I don't believe countries should outlaw spankings.  It is a parents decision how they want to enforce discipline on their own children.  As long as they don't abuse their children, spankings are very beneficial.

[Peanutx3]

I do not believe spanking makes children lie or aggressive.  It is nobody's business how a parent raises their children. 

[Dzyre1115]

I think that the less the government is involved in everyday living the better.  We are creating a society of people who cannot think for themselves.  I have one child that was not spanked and two that are occasionally.  There are no general differences in their behaviors with the exception of gender based behavioral differences.

[eaglemama2]

Quoting LollaLeeLou:

Absolutely no question in my mind. We've all heard it before, provide a model for the behaviour you want to see in your child. If you want your child to be agressive and out of control then hit him/her.

*To those who may take offense to the word "hit" above - spanking is hitting, whether you like it or not. Funny that if you ask someone if they hit their child they would adamantly say "No!" but would fully admit to spanking.

Looking forward to the day when spanking is banned in the U.S.

[ColtsFan1912]

I agree

 i was spanked as a child & i'm not some evil aggressive person. that makes me mad (wait. maybe it only makes me MAD cause i was SPANKED> oh now it all makes sense)

I do  NOT know if I will spank Caleb. ..i doubt it. .but I AM THE PARENT not the govt. I believe every kid is different & different things will work on them. So far time outs work well on Caleb & that is our choice method of discipline.  . .

Quoting Aldea:

No I don't believe a spanking makes children lie, sly, or aggressive.

No I don't believe countries should outlaw spankings.  It is a parents decision how they want to enforce discipline on their own children.  As long as they don't abuse their children, spankings are very beneficial.

 

[1Namba]

Does it make a difference?

[vagueprincess]

I used to think spanking children should be outlawed, but as I've gotten older and been around more children...I think the way you discipline your children should be determined on what works with your child.  I would personally not use spanking as a first resort, but if other things I do don't work and my child a spanking does get my child's attention, then it might be a tactic I have to use.

[amygray]

I don't spank you children.. or at least I haven't yet. I try to use the consequences should match the action approach and it works well for us to this point..

Do you think spanking makes children "sly, lying and aggressive"? 

no, i really don't..  i have a good friend who doesn't spank, or discipline at all.. her kids lie and are very aggressive because there are on consequences..  i honestly think that lack of any kind of discipline is usually to blame for that.

 

Should countries outlaw spanking?  Why or why not?

should child abuse be illegal? yes.. spanking no. big difference in swatting a child on the butt a few times and beating it.

it should be up to the parents how to discipline thier children..

 

 

[Mommy_of_Riley]

First...  I think children who are spanked lie and are aggresive.  SO ARE THOSE WHO ARE NOT SPANKED!  Children and Teenagers will lie, be aggresive, act out, etc. and it doesn't matter if they were spanked or not.

Secondly, I know PLENTY of adults who were spanked and are very honest, loving, non-aggresive people.  I also know people who are manipulative and have aggresive personalties...  It varies.