Five Myths About Spanking

MYTH: Spanking is not the same as hitting.
FACT: Spanking is different from hitting in name only. A few quick Google searches for definitions and a few applications of the transitive property confirmed this:

Hit: Bring one's hand or a tool or weapon into contact with (someone or something) quickly and forcefully

Spank: Slap with one's open hand or a flat object, esp. on the buttocks as a punishment
Slap: A blow with the palm of the hand or a flat object
Blow: A powerful stroke with a hand, weapon, or hard object
Stroke: An act of hitting or striking someone or something

In other words: Spanking = Hitting.

MYTH: Spanking is all right as a last resort.
FACT: It can't be counted on as a last resort, because sometimes it doesn't bring about the desired result. Then there has to be something else to resort to after it.

MYTH: Spanking is fine as long as it's not done in anger.
FACT: If you are hitting your child, your child may assume you are angry, even if you are pretending not to be. Wouldn't you think someone who's hitting you is angry at you?

MYTH: Spanking works. It teaches people about what's right and wrong.
FACT: If spanking worked, it would have eliminated itself a long time ago. Everyone who was spanked for hitting someone else would have grown up to know that hitting another person is wrong. Then there wouldn't be any more spanking.

MYTH: There is nothing bad about spanking your child.
FACT: There are many possible consequences of spanking your child:

• There is a chance your child will grow up to fear being touched (hugged, etc) by you.
• There is a chance your child will be confused about whether hitting another person is wrong, which means he could be more likely to be involved in an abusive relationship.
• There is a chance your child will be more aggressive than he otherwise would be, if he thinks that violence is the answer to problems with people.
• There is a chance your child will learn that lying to you is easier than facing your discipline.

Also, remember: Your child will most likely survive your parenting, even if you spank him, but there is a chance your relationship with him may not.

These are chances I am not willing to take. How about you?

As it says in this post from Positive Parenting: Toddlers and Beyond, called Please Stand:

It is time speak up for our children. Hitting children is wrong. Period.

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Read more about spanking:
Three Bad Reasons To Hit Children
When Am I Allowed To Hit Someone?
If You Hate Spanking Your Kids, Then Stop