sds:

“When I see parents reasoning with their toddlers, because they think spanking is abuse, I want to go up to them and say, “You do realize that your child is not sufficiently developmentally advanced to comprehend what you are saying to them, don’t you? Swat them on the back side, just enough for it to sting a little, tell them no, and if they don’t get in line then, say you will do it again. Remarkably effective, and speaking to them on the only level they understand.” Every time I go to a grocery store, shopping mall, park, restaurant…practically any public place, I see these children who are acting in ways that would have gotten me smacked ten ways to Tuesday when I was a kid. Why? Their parents think they can have a rational adult discussion with someone who only recently figured out how to use a toilet. It drives me absolutely nuts.”

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Robot Heart: When Is Spanking Child Abuse?

Spot on.

Uh, first of all, if you are just observing parents in public places you likely have no idea what their stand on spanking is. It is almost unheard of for people to spank their children in public anymore. And unless they are screaming at each other or you are eavesdropping you don’t really know exactly what is being said between parent and child. Second, you have no idea what their child is like or what the family dynamics are. For all you know they could be Autistic or have developmental issues contributing to the fits/misbehavior you are seeing. Spanking is very effective and okay for some children and very damaging for others. There are some kids for whom spanking is very ineffective. There have been many studies done showing that it is consistency, not the method of discipline, that matters. Third, it really isn’t any of your business.