Is Spanking Teenagers for Discipline Appropriate?

[peacechild]

Sorry if I am not supposed to be posting in this forum, but I am interested in the opinions of those who parent teens.
Do you think that spanking teens is appropriate and effective?

 

[sreno7]

no never. I have hit my daughter out of anger though. My son is bigger than I am.

 

[c1ners]

Maybe a swat on the bottom, but no, not spanking.
Spanking is degrading, and I don't think it works with a teenager.

 

[Gerry_NY]

I believe that spanking a teen is neither effective or appropriate. When they reach that age there is sooo much more that can be used to punish them. Phone priveleges, internet use, sleepovers, going to friends house...anything along those lines. I believe once they have reached 9 or 10 they are then too old for spankings.

 

[septemberskies]

I'm not a parent but I don't think spanking a teenager helps not to mention it's degrading. Spanking works for younger children who you have to teach right from wrong but a teenager needs other types of punishments.

 

[jessesgirl]

absolutely not, i am not the parent of a teenager, but I feel like that is so disrespectful toward the teen. it is extremely degrading. my parents grounded us when we were teenagers, took away privelages but never spanking.

 

[Naomi4Christ]

I wouldn't want to be hit back by a teenager...

 

[indagroove]

I believe that spanking a teen is neither effective or appropriate. When they reach that age there is sooo much more that can be used to punish them. Phone priveleges, internet use, sleepovers, going to friends house...anything along those lines. I believe once they have reached 9 or 10 they are then too old for spankings.

This sums it up pretty good !

 

[peacechild]

So far, the responders of this thread have not advocated corporal punishment for teens, but one might argue that from a biblical perspective it is the correct method of discipline for ALL minors... What would you say to that?

 

[Ashlynn]

I do not believe that in the Bible does it says ALL MINORS are to be spanked. It says spare the rod, spoil the child. I am almost 30 years old, but Ill be you know what if my father lifted his hand to spank me. I am still his child.
A child is no longer considered to be a minor at 18, but is still a teenager. Spankings for 13-17? It doesn't strike me as being a sensible thing to do in the least.
Just as the others said, there is a time where most parents understand that spanking is no longer appropriate nor is it effective.

 

[God.is.my.force]

Oh, good responses - well, easily enough, if you think your child's anger and laughter mixed is a punishment - enjoy the ride - or else they'll call the cops on you saying you abuse them

 

[BeanMak]

And in biblical times, a person over the age of 13 was not considered a minor. They were adults with adult resposibilities.

 

[sreno7]

Oh, good responses - well, easily enough, if you think your child's anger and laughter mixed is a punishment - enjoy the ride - or else they'll call the cops on you saying you abuse them

Don't know about where you live but it isn't against the law to spank a child where I live. Not that I would spank a teen but as long as you don't use a weapon it isn't a crime. I don't think the cops would get involved either, though child protection may investigate.

 

[breadandjam]

I think spanking a teenager falls under sexual harrassment/abuse. Once a child hits puberty, they are too old to be spanked.

 

[tessas212]

Spanking teens isn't hte best punishment, IMO. Heck, I do not even like spanking much with small children. (Not that I consider it abuse, just that it can LEAD to abuse. And not only that, but it is so much easier to punish rather than reward. How many people here can honestly say their parents effectively used positive reinforcement throughout their childhood? I know I can't.)

Personally, I think spanking should be left for younger children, not teens.

 

[tp65]

I haven't spanked my kids in forever...probably since they were 4 years old. Their minds work differently at a certain age (different for each child) where "shocking" them with a spanking is not as effective as teaching them through taking away a privilege or toy, etc. We used spanking to shock them out of a destructive behaviour but not as the punishment itself. It was a quick swat and then we could get on with things. Don't need to do that for a teenager for sure! Great question though...I was just remembering when I was in high school there were two punishments when you went to the principals office...you could either get swatted with the board or stay after school. The boys always took the board and ended up coming back for more...didn't stop them from getting in trouble. I don't think that would be allowed anyplace anymore...am I wrong?

 

[peacechild]

I was just remembering when I was in high school there were two punishments when you went to the principals office...you could either get swatted with the board or stay after school. The boys always took the board and ended up coming back for more...didn't stop them from getting in trouble. I don't think that would be allowed anyplace anymore...am I wrong?

Yes, you are wrong. When my brother was in school just a few years ago, he went to a small Baptist school (K-12) that spanked all the kids of every age after getting a certain amount of demerits. The parents who enrolled their children in the school had to sign a form (and quite a few other forms) saying they were giving the school permission to spank their child. And I personally know about a dozen kids who are attending that school now, receive swats from the principal.

I'm not sure if the school could get in trouble, the people running the school seem to be able to save their own behinds from almost anything.

 

[tp65]

Yes, you are wrong. When my brother was in school just a few years ago, he went to a small Baptist school (K-12) that spanked all the kids of every age after getting a certain amount of demerits. The parents who enrolled their children in the school had to sign a form (and quite a few other forms) saying they were giving the school permission to spank their child. And I personally know about a dozen kids who are attending that school now, receive swats from the principal.

I'm not sure if the school could get in trouble, the people running the school seem to be able to save their own behinds from almost anything.

Wow, I wondered if that is where this topic came from. That seems incredible to me. I would never sign such a form...it opens a door to abuse of authority. I have seen parents spank for every reason under the sun, therefore I would never give anyone (outside of family) permission to spank my child...used too much it loses it's effectiveness anyway. Very interesting topic!

 

[laptoppop]

One discipline that works quite well with our teen-ager is to take away his electricity -- no phone, no computer, no games, etc. We've only had to do it twice - and then for short periods. Its very effective in some cases.

 

[DivineRAiN]

nah.. I don't think it's appropriate to use that kind of discipline on a teenager. My daughter is 15, no way would I spank her. Last time she was spanked she was either 9 or 10.