I vehemently oppose the idea of physical punishment, slapping etc. to discipline children. It is not an effective means of disciplining children. Effective discipline helps children learn to control their behavior so that they act according to their ideas of what is right and wrong, not because they fear punishment. For example, they are honest because they think it is wrong to be dishonest, not because they are afraid of getting caught.
The purpose of punishment is to stop a child from doing what you don't want - and using a painful or unpleasant method to stop him.
In my opinion there are four kinds of punishment
physical punishment - slapping, spanking, switching, paddling, and using a belt or hair brush.
verbal punishment - shaming, ridiculing, using cruel words, saying "I don't love you."
withholding rewards - "You can't watch TV if you don't do your homework."
penalties - "You broke the window so you will have to pay for it with money from your allowance."
The first two kinds of punishment, physical and verbal, are not considered to be effective discipline methods. The other two, withholding rewards and giving penalties, can be used either as effective discipline methods or as punishment - depending on how parents administer them.
A swat on the bottom is a mild physical punishment. While it may do no permanent physical harm, it does not help the child develop a conscience. Instead, it teaches him that physical violence is an acceptable way of dealing with probl
