Let me say right off the top that I don’t think there is a right or wrong answer to this question. For the record, I have only been a parent for just over a year now. My son (Jabari) is just over 14 months old. (By the way, when he turns two, I will no longer break his age down in months. Saying stuff like “my child is 27 months” old is ridiculous to me). At any rate, how do we as a community feel about spanking our children?

Is spanking a child necessary?

Does it instill discipline?

Does sparing the rod spoil the child?

Is spanking a child barbaric?

Does it break a child’s spirit?

Does hitting a child encourage aggressive/violent behavior?

Check this link out diakonos:

"To Spank or Not to Spank"
http://www.destee.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21873

Peace,
Queenie :spinstar:

There are many threads on here and other message boards out there on the net. I guess all you can do is participate in those discussions, but also make sure to get DIFFERENT POINTS OF VIEW. Black people can be quite monolithic at times. You need to speak to old schoolers, new schoolers, religious people, non-religious people, people with and without kids, people who work with problem kids etc. Get evey point of view. If you keep hearing the same thing, try a different group to speak to unti you have seen EVERY side of the story possible then make your decision.

Good luck with it.