nebula:

Yes, I'm glad you point this out. People who disagree with spanking seem to go to the most extreme cases immediately- beatings, leaving bruises etc. That isn't what spanking is. I agree, it is wrong to equate benign spanking with damaging abuse.

Please then define where that line is...when is it that a benign spanking becomes abuse and let me know when you get everyone else to agree to it.

To some, it is hitting a child in the face to others it's just a slap...no big deal.

To some, it is leaving a bruise...hell you can do plenty of damage without leaving a bruise...or do no real damage at all and leave one.

The problem is that as those who want to spank their child continually ignore that overall, on the macro level, spanking doesn't work. That is what the studies show again and again. And as this author notes, studies also show parents will find ways to ignore studies they don't like....look through this board and your own answers for plenty of proof of that.

Your "out" is that there is a difference between your spankings and the ones they must be talking about. And that simply isn't true. Again read through a few of the posts on here and look at just what people are willing to justify as "ok".

You want to spank your child, it's your right as their parent but at least be honest and know what the consequences could be for doing so in the long run and stop looking for the mental cop-out that your spankings are different than the ones they studied...that you are immune from ever letting anger cloud your judgement...or that a 1 or 2 year old understands why they are being hit rather than just learning to fear you.