Is Spanking Children an Acceptable Form of Discipline?
Claim: Spanking is an acceptable form of discipline.
Data: The dictionary definition of a spanking is a beating with the back of the hand to someone’s rear, given as a punishment.
Warrant: Since spanking is only a swat to the backside, which is not abuse, and is not a harmful treatment to a child, then spanking children is okay.
Backing: The dictionary definition of abuse is the physical, psychological, and sexual maltreatment of a person or animal. Also, a beating is a punishment in which someone is repeatedly hit. Since a spanking is used as a punishment, and is not maltreatment, then it is not abuse and is acceptable.
Qualifier: Sometimes someone does not know the line between a spanking and child abuse, but most of the time, parents know when a child is being punished and when they are experiencing unfair pain.
Rebuttal: Even though spanking works for some parents in distinguishing the meaning of right and wrong, there are other forms of punishment and raising a child. Spanking may or may not be effective for a parent, but spanking is not abuse and is a suitable means of discipline.
on February 7th, 2009 at 6:29 pm
Excellent argument. You’re arguing by definition!