Imagine your in the supermarket with a young boy about six years old in line in front of you that and screaming, crying, and pulling on his mothers leg to purchase a piece of candy. His mother simply tells him to stop it, stop it, stop it, or you will have to go into time out but this has no effect on the little boy's fierce tantrum. Most parents would not put up with that kind of behavior from their children although what kind of discipline would be appropriate. Spanking is an option of discipline that will benefit in the raising of a child when applied correctly and in correct circumstances, will teach them consequences of their own actions, increase their respect for authority, and aid in the reduction flair up child abuse.
             Spanking is not a form of discipline that should be used as an everyday disciplinary action but as said by Dr. John Rosemond (Family Psychologist) in an interview with Talk of the Nation "spanking is, at times, with certain children and certain situations, absolutely the best disciplinary response" (Melenda Penkava 2). Before spanking is employed other routes of dealing with bad behavior should be tried such as warnings, raised voice, time outs, and so on. Spankings should be the last resort and not acted out as a violent lashing out toward the child. "So non-abusive spanking, which is, you know, one or two swats to the child's rear end with your hand, not with the intention of inflicting pain but with the intention of correcting and that massage coming across loud and clear to the child" (Dr. Rosemond, Melenda Penkava 3).
             There are some guidelines to spanking that studies show to be essential in the effectiveness in the discipline of a child. The use of corporal punishment on a child under 18 months old or at the age of puberty is shown to be unsuccessful but rather is more productively administered when the child is two to six years old. "Under most circumstanc...