In Reply to: something i found posted by Repost on spankings on October 14, 2006 at 13:07:15:
Interesting Post/repost Damaged!
Coporal punishment can lead to Major disaster followed by General disorder. Joke.
I always remember a behavioral course I took in college. In discussing discipline the prof had the class line up in front of individual chairs. He then came over to each chair, stood on it and began admonishing us like we were children. On a few occasions he told class members he was not happy with them and would have to spank them. It was quite interesting to be in the shadow of this huge adult who was not "happy" with me. The chair made the prof twice as big as most of us and suprisingly it gave the flavour of the child perspective.
I think each family has to come to grips with any form of discipline. Any intervention in nagative behavior carries risks and rewards. Spanking is generally viewed as a heavy intervention, (particularly by the spankee !), and can be difficult to administer and frequently does not carry long term positive solutions. Some of my family used to act like spankings were as necessary as cod liver oil. ("A whack with the paddle and a big spoon of the cod liver will straighten you out boyo" It is wierd feeling to have your ass ringing and tingling while trying not to barf-choke on a mouthfull of oil.!).
Spanking also can be associated with a particular technique called negative reinforcement. eg:the idea of getting a speeding ticket is negative reinforcement. When it works people avoid the consequence by not speeding, which is what the state really wants on dangerous sections of roadways. If drivers speed it becomes a punishment tool and punishment is not really the aim of true behavioral reinforcement.
Discipline of any kind should be used in conjunction with significant levels of positive reinforcement. Risk, cost vs effort, impact on the child and the frequency response rates of negative behaviours after intervention are the measured variables of applied internvention methods. Too harsh, excessive Time outs, loss of outings, playtime or valued items may result in extended power struggles, arguing and lots of foot slogging( intense work) for parents or caregivers. Inappropriate application of spanking or other physical punishments can lead to a child moving into using aggression to achieve wants and needs. It also is not uncommon for some children to use various forms of "corporal punishment" on peers to be in control. Some of the biggest tools parents have are a general control over the living environment, long term positive reinforcement and working to help kids to internalize appropriate behaviour. The idea that s child will eventually discipline themselves and behave positively for their own satisfaction. We all fail at times. There are no perfect parents or ways to intervene in negative or inappropriate behavior.
Unless a child has suffered trauma, been overly disciplined or is disordered in some way the bottom line is usually they want to cooperate. Kids are not dumb, they will bend the rules and challenge us on a regular basis. They also are endlessly energetic and have enormous stamina to carry on power struggles or arguments. I have talked to very few parents who actually feel great or even happy after having to consequence their kids with a spanking. Quite often there is a sense of disatisfaction having to go into spank mode. In many ways i think the idea of spanking should be examined closely for its actual value as an intervention tool in any box of tools. Forget the moral argument, assess the tool's value based on its own merit. Does it work positively and is it necessary? Are you happy with the results? What if you had to use it on a regular basis? Are there any alternatives?Well that is my two cents worth.
PS. I am not trying to be a know it all. I spent a career in behavioral science with various age groups. I have been hit, kicked, spit on, stabbed, cut, stoned, headbutted, condomed, shit on and had to physically intervene with dangerous or psychotic children more times than I can count. I also trained a wide variety of workers over the years and I think I have seen enough behavior to be able to throw my two cents worth in. I forgot to add the work and the kids were worth every minute of it and i would do it again in a heartbeat and after a bit more rest.
Happy trails.
Sincerely Rocky