Spanking is one of the most controversial discipline methods. On one side of the debate are parents who believe it is all right to spank their children. On the other side are those who think that children should never be spanked. Somewhere in the middle are parents who believe that spanking should only be used in particular instances (e.g., when the child runs into the street). Part of the reason for the debate is that parents and experts often define spanking differently. Spanking is a traditional form of corporal punishment. Disciplinary spanking is defined by the Canadian Pediatric Society as "physically non-injurious, is administered with an opened hand to the buttocks, and is intended to modify behaviour. Slapping the face, kicking, punching, shaking, pulling, beating or delivery of repeated demoralizing blows to a child is called abuse" (BC Health Care Guide, 75). There are different ideas in Canada in relation to spanking. More and more experts think that spanking is not a useful way to discipline a child. However, there are those who believe that spanking a child in a controlled manner, when other ways have not worked, should be the right of the parent. Spanking, no matter what form or shape, is not harmless or acceptable although it has been passed down from generation to generation in many families, "most experts agree that it is not, and never has been, an effective way to discipline a child"(Eisenberg, 339).
             Numerous studies have shown that spanking children is not an effective way to control behaviour. Children are not our property. Only a bully would strike someone who is unable to strike back or defend themselves. In my mind, any type of hitting is bad, and that goes for light swats on the behind or a tap on the hand. Spanking can lead to a child's low self-esteem, it is ineffective, and it teaches the child that physical violence is an acceptable way to deal with other people.
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