Should parents/guardians hit their children?

[Frodo13.]

Just wondering what people's views are on this. I mean, it has been in and out of Parliament, and in and out the news.

Various countries have even banned parents hitting their children at all, others have banned the use of implements, and others allow the use of any corporal punishment in the home, as long as it don't cause serious injury.

Personally, I think it's OK as long as it's not going to do any major physcial/mental harm to the child. I must admitt, I've had my experiances in the past, present and probably future and it's not done me any harm. I left school with 11 GCSE's, and am doing well at A Level and have a good life ahead of me. Views?

[Superman]

It's fine as long as it's not actually abusive. There's a difference between disciplining your child and abusing them, and it's sad that currently parents are scared to discipline their own children, and so they grow up to be the little [bad word]s that you see all over the place.

[Finkelstien]

Well in South Africa a parent is not allowed to implement any form of physical punishment on a child or it is seen as child abuse.

I personally don't agree. Look like everything in life there has to be a limit, beating your child with a stick or a belt is totally not on and that to me is a criminal offense and any parent who does that, in my view, should burn in hell. However, I do feel that there is no better way to teach your child discipline when they are young by giving him or her a good old spank here and there.

Also after a certain age, say from around 13, parents should not use this method any longer as it can crush a childs developing personality.

[cocaine2]

yeah, if neccessary it should be allowed for a parent to throttle their child until it behaves.

[Virgin Mary]

Yes, well I would anyway. Though I'm torn on whether intimidation or violence is the best form of punishment. There's some teenagers who just need a good *** kicking.

[VPSwow]

I think its ok aslongs as its not bad.

I mean my parents used to hit me when i was younger but not abusive and if they didnt i wouldnt have no respect for them.

[Asher]

Give them brats a good kick in the head

[-:Undertaker:-]

A smack is ok, however if I had a teen who was a total moron i'd probably end up killing him.

[Frodo13.]

Some of the punishments I've had can be seen as harsh, but I know that they can do me some good, which is what should be the aim of the whole thing anyway.

[Jamesy]

if they are screaming in a restaurant or the cinema I think anyone should have full rights to hit them *hate moment*

Yes, if they are being whiney little ******s they should have full right to.