The majority of people I have met that were spanked as children, suffer from all kinds of issues because of it. And only a few of them actually are ok. When will people stop assuming things solely based on their own experience. I was also spanked and I can honestly say, I am ****** up.
My parents spanked me. My husband's parents spanked him.
The benefits and/or negates of spanking are fully contingent upon the parties involved.
Spanking has never been an efficient form of punishment for my children, so it's very rare that I spank. My children have always responded better to negative and positive reenforcers that do not involve physical discipline. However, there have been situations, where a spanking was absolutely the most effective form of discipline and I offer no apologies to those within American society who harbor issues against responsible parents who choose spanking as a form of discipline.
As I said before, my husband and I were spanked as children and we're productive, happy members of society who have healthy relationship with our parents.
There's a tremendous difference between physical abuse and "spanking", by sane, loving parents.
I do subscribe to the concept of "sparing the rod...spoil the child", but, the "rod" does not necessarily have to come in the form of physical punishment. I think this should be a personal choice of parents, but acknowledge that there are people with certain temperaments that should not lay a hand on their children. You don't spank out of anger. You spank to get your child's attention. But, there has to be conversation and follow-up with your child as to why they are being punished and how the issue is to be rectified.
When my children were younger, time outs were effective. Now that they are older, restriction from computers and beloved toys works, followed by stern guidance and conversation is much more effective than a spanking would be, though, I have recently popped my eight year old to keep her attention, when she continued to repeat the same negative behavior and would not take heed to guidance.