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April 13th, 2010
05:58 AM ET

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Editor's Note: Welcome to American Morning's LIVE Blog where you can discuss the "most news in the morning" with us each and every day. Join the live chat during the program by adding your comments below. It's your chance to share your thoughts on the day's headlines. Keep in mind, you have a better chance of having your comment get past our moderators if you follow our rules: 1) Keep it brief 2) No writing in ALL CAPS 3) Use your real name (first name only is fine) 4) No links 5) Watch your language (that includes $#&*).

[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/04/13/china.us.flags.gi.art.jpg caption="Today on American Morning, Christine Romans examines how China has changed American businesses."]

China rising: Is China changing business?

(CNN) – Before the turn of the century, it was considered a "no brainer" for U.S. businesses: you had to be in China.

Fast forward ten years and you have to ask the question, "has China been good or bad for America?" This week in our original series "China Rising," we're assessing China's economic impact on the United States.

Today on American Morning, Christine Romans examines how China has changed American businesses. One look at your dinner table will tell you everything you need to know.

To spank or not to spank?

A Tulane University study of nearly 2,500 kids found those who were spanked more at 3-years-old were 50 percent more likely to be defiant, have temper tantrums and hit other kids by 5-years-old.

Some say the evidence is stronger than ever against corporal punishment.

Today, the co-author of the study joins us to explain why spanking can lead to other problems as well.

Sound off: We want to hear from you this morning. Add your comments to the LIVE blog below and we'll read some of them on the show.


Filed under: LIVE Blog • Top Stories
soundoff (207 Responses)
  1. Ralph Beach

    And "time-outs" are a joke!....that's all I have to say

    April 13, 2010 at 7:58 am |
  2. Dianne

    I have been a child care provider for 19 years and I can tell you that spanking does absolutly nothing to teach a child the right behavior. All it does is lower self esteem and ruins the trust between parent and child. Time outs do not work either... Also does nothing to teach the correct behaivior and lowers self esteem. It is like sitting in a corner with a dunce cap on while the whole group of kids are playing around you. The problem with children is that parents are not "explaining" to them correct behaivor. Actually getting down on their level and explaining (in simple terms) why certain behavior is not acceptable. It takes time and effort but in the long run it is worth it. Children need to know that they are not "bad" but simply need to know that they are always loved but that negaitve behavior nto acceptable. Dicipline involving love and understanding builds self esteem which is the most important thing a parent can do.... It takes more time but in the end the results are overwhelming!

    April 13, 2010 at 7:57 am |
  3. donna

    Come on!!! We were all spanked in our lives. I am the mother. If my child do wrong she would be ponished. I have friends who do not spank their children and the child curse and hit the parent. Parents need to take charge and raise their children.

    April 13, 2010 at 7:57 am |
  4. Ralph Beach

    Only 25 Mothers? WOW....that's alot of research...abuse has many degrees.

    April 13, 2010 at 7:56 am |
  5. James

    "To Spank or not to Spank?" Is that really the question? According to Kiran, the "new study finds spanking children MORE THAN TWICE A MONTH at 3 years old can make them 50% more likely to be defiant or lash out at others by the time they turn five." Any further conclusion that spanking ITSELF should not be done seems to be merely unfounded extrapolation.

    April 13, 2010 at 7:56 am |
  6. Melon

    The US Government uses a form of spanking ... ie .. in Iraq. "You don't do as we tell you we'll bomb you back to the "stone age".....

    Political spanking.

    April 13, 2010 at 7:54 am |
  7. Ralph Beach

    @ Melon, Violence and spanking are 2 different things...I agree there is a "right" to do it.

    April 13, 2010 at 7:54 am |
  8. timmsa

    There is a fine line between abuse and discipline. And yes some parents don't understand the difference. But come on there are times that the situation does require a swat on the butt.
    Parents need to wake up and smell the coffee. You need to be responsible for your kids. I mean these kids are the OUR FUTURE. It is our responsibility to raise responsible and trustworthy children.

    Yes I was spanked as a child, yes there were times that it was actually abusive, but that cycle ends with me. I don't spank unless i have to.

    April 13, 2010 at 7:52 am |
  9. Bill

    I grew up with the threat of physical discipline. I have found that a number of the of the social issues with in our schools public and in general seem to be from the time out generation. They know that there are no serious concequences for their actions. I can count on one hand the number of times I was spanked but I knew the possibility was there so it helped comtrol my actions.

    With out controls our children have no way to no what is acceptable and how far is to far. No I didn't spank my childern regularly but the option was there and I feel that it has helped shape there actions to be better people.

    April 13, 2010 at 7:51 am |
  10. Ralph Beach

    @ Melon, I am 41 yrs old

    April 13, 2010 at 7:50 am |
  11. Ken

    Most of who are old enough to remember spankings as a way of life also remember that there is a penalty to pay for wrongdoing both at home and in school. Today you get a short timeout that doesn’t seem to hamper the wrongdoer from going right back to do the exact same thing that he was doing to cause the trouble. I've noticed that the kids that are still spanked for their transgressions will think twice before repeating. Spare the rod and spoil the child.

    April 13, 2010 at 7:50 am |
  12. Emily

    Spanking= Child Abuse, period.

    As the job of a parent as educater to their children, spanking never makes the connection to the true lesson needed to learn. Do you solve problems with your coworkers, friends, or spouse by smacking them?

    Why do we decide to allow children less status as a human being?
    Its called assault or battery when physical violence is threatened or caried out; children deserve the same protection and respect.

    April 13, 2010 at 7:49 am |
  13. Ralph Beach

    @ "China Rising" issue...

    I feel that China has been good and bad for America. Good because we just get the finished product. Bad because the things we get are not "American-Made". This does not help America create jobs. Therefore I feel that China has a good thing going itsself.

    April 13, 2010 at 7:49 am |
  14. Steve

    I am a 41 year old father of 2 boys ages 21 and 18. I remember how children were raised in my day, and have seen the effects of the changing society on children over the years. I think that instead of always trying to be politically correct, the study needs to compare generations more closely. I firmly believe that today’s generation of youth is far less respectful of adults, more frequently tend to push limits, have a more brazen sense of guilt, and are much more defiant than my generation. It seems that with each passing year, the more limits and pressures that are placed on parents, the worse the end product. Values, ethics, morality, responsibility have been lost outside of the house, so parents have the burden to combat the negative influences children are subjected to outside of the house. Imagine taking a group of children from today's generation and replant them in Mayberry with Andy and Oppie. Most of them would probably end up arrested or diagnosed with a personality disorder. As a society we need to get back to basics and raise our children right. "It takes a village" to raise a child no longer applies, more and more it seems parents are fighting the good fight all on their own. I'm not saying go beat your child, however, the worst spanking I ever got was from my grandfather. Not because it hurt, but because it came from him. I was crushed that I had done something so bad that my Grandfather spanked me. I never did it again. I felt guilt. Search for that in some of the children today and you will be searching for a long time.

    April 13, 2010 at 7:47 am |
  15. Autumn Meadows

    @Eric..agreed with you every step of the way till you had the qualification.."Christian home". Parents are good and bad all across the board. Athiest, Muslim, hindu, wiccan, agnostic or whatever. Religion or non religion does not automatically qualify a home as "good quality" believe me I have seen plenty of kids abused in christian homes as well as non christian homes.

    April 13, 2010 at 7:47 am |
  16. Cary Sherburne

    Four kids in my family where spanking was common; my daughter got an occasional swat on the behind; my granddaughter and grandson get time-outs. I don't really see any difference in behavior with these three models, especially in terms of violent tendencies, at least in my family. The danger with spanking, i think, is parents can get stressed and angry, and perhaps inflict more damage than is necessary. Time-outs are a better approach. Perhaps there are other factors related to violent behavior causals that the research did not sniff out

    April 13, 2010 at 7:46 am |
  17. Corey

    Spanking is totally acceptable as long as it's reserved for "special occasions". I never feel that this type of physical punishment should be a parent's first line of defense against poor behavior but I feel like it should never be completely ruled out. I think there are a lot of former children - now criminals who needed a swift crack in the pants to keep them on the right path as children. Who runs our society nowadays anyway.... Us or our Kids?

    April 13, 2010 at 7:45 am |
  18. Suzy

    Whether or not a specific type of discipline, regardless of it being spanking or time outs, depends on several factors: the parents being clear, consistent and in agreement with each other as well as each child's individual personality. Both can be effective when used appropriately and sparingly. Parents need to remember that the word discipline comes from the word disciple which means "to teach" not to punish. Parents need to discuss with each other, prior to any "infractions", what they want to teach their children and need to establish appropriate consequences when the need arises. Too often both methods are misused, doled out based on anger alone and the child learns nothing from the process.

    April 13, 2010 at 7:45 am |
  19. James

    With too many parents, using spanking as the go-to discipline method is just a sign of a larger pattern of parenting incompetence. Parents who have no other ideas go straight to spanking because it satisfies their anger and reduces problem behavior in the short term. It's this larger deficiency, and not spanking specifically, that leads to problem behavior in children.

    April 13, 2010 at 7:43 am |
  20. Eric

    I'd like to start by thanking Ron for his comment: "Spare the rod spoil the child! I think if we was to actual live according to the bible we wouldn't have to have these types of convos". Now, having stated that I beleive in corporal punishment, let me qualify that – Spanking should be used ONLY on children too young to comprehend reason. Pain and humiliation is a big motivator! When your 2yr old tries to climb up on the stove, a "time-out" doesn't work, but a quick swat or two to the diaper does. Now having said that, be careful that a spanking is never administered in rage, but always with LOVE! The defiance these so-called experts claim will result is only manifested in children not exposed to the loving kindness of a Christian home where they are sheltered from the bad things of this world. Have you seen what passes for entertainment these days?

    April 13, 2010 at 7:41 am |
  21. Autumn Meadows

    @bea I was abused as a child too. There is a huge difference between a beating and a spanking. My mom punched me in the face, smashed my head against nails in doors, kicked me in the stomach when I was down..dragged me from one end of the room to the other by my hair and beat my head against bike spokes. No one here is saying that beating a child is ok but I am telling you what nothing teaches a child some respect and takes serious a real consequence than a good ol fashion butt spanking. I agree with the person about the police..you dont teach your kids early respect and they go mouthing off to a gang member or thumbing their noses at police they could get seriously hurt or even dead. I would rather spank my kids so they understood consequences that way than to have them dead because they never learned respect.

    April 13, 2010 at 7:39 am |
  22. Beverly

    What is called "spanking" for a child becomes "senior abuse" for the same offenses when the spankers get old. Spank away, folks. These abused children will eventually pick your nursing hone.

    April 13, 2010 at 7:37 am |
  23. Jeff

    People usually emulate their own parents. We have drivers Ed in schools, why not Parents Ed and give kids some alternative discussion.

    April 13, 2010 at 7:37 am |
  24. Ck

    "Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child" was my parents mantra, all the while they spanked, beat, and sexually abused us!

    Can't help but think there is some sexual perversion to parents who find a need for corporal punishment. Children are a reflection of their parents, if the children are acting unruly perhaps it is a good time for an inward look.

    I know plenty of familes who found a parenting ground that did not include any corporal punishment and their children turned out to be awesome and productive members of society!

    April 13, 2010 at 7:36 am |
  25. Kathy

    I don't believe spanking will cause any child to be more aggressive as they get older, that is hog wash. I received my share of spankings when I was real bad and, if anything it made me realize , after about the third time of getting a spanking for doing the same thing wrong, I learned not to do that anymore to avoid being spanked, i.e. I behaved better. The old saying, "Spare the rod..." still holds true. My kids got spankings only when they desrved it and I am proud to admit they turned out terrific. No bullies here. They actually stopped alot of bullies.

    April 13, 2010 at 7:35 am |
  26. Melon

    Could spanking of children lead to bullying at school?

    April 13, 2010 at 7:34 am |
  27. Leslie Townsend

    Spanking is proper discipline, if administered properly ... the Bible teaches that "he who spares the rod spoils the child" ... spanking is a proper form of discipline which will teach a child right from wrong. Simply "talking" to a child, in order to administer discipline, is not enough. A child must be taught the consequences of improper behavior, not just talked through it. A young child is not mature enough to be talked through proper behavior.

    I applied spanking to my children early on, and NEVER had any problems with my children having temper tantrums, having fits, or having uncontrolled violent behavior during their young childhood years ... spanking to teach proper discipline works! I believe in it!

    April 13, 2010 at 7:34 am |
  28. Jack Out The Box

    I am Concerned with the "Confounding Factor" associated with this. Claiming a kid will be more violent if subjected to capital punishment, Is like claiming ice cream cone sales in summer causes more people to drown.
    When it's hot, eat ice cream and take a swim to cool off!

    Could it be that MOMS are more stressed and aggresive these days?
    The study did say kids mimic parental behavior.

    April 13, 2010 at 7:34 am |
  29. Jim Revell

    These retrospective studies are not useful. Just one potential skewing to consider: what if the kids who were spanked more often were spanked for being aggressive, like hitting a sibling or getting in fights at school? And how about the self-selection of those who spank and don't? Is it possible those who have been taught that spanking is "bad" are wealthier, more highly educated, and have smaller families, all predictors of social success for other reasons?

    My own kids are long since grown up, and I am not sure on balance if any spanking is useful or under what circumstances, but these studies are worse than useless. They are inherently biased and have the outcomes their authors want.

    April 13, 2010 at 7:33 am |
  30. Autumn Meadows

    @Ralph it is not always the parent they get it from. When I was in high school and I was bullied I learned the behavior from other kids. I became a bully to get people to leave me alone because I was tired of being picked on. So I beat up a few people and everyone started to leave me alone. Sad but thats what I did to keep from being bullied. It was either be stepped on or Step on people and I prefered to do the stepping. I am not proud of it but I survived High School. I think there needs to be classes in high school called pyschology 101 or Emotional Intelligence classes. We arm our children with academic knowledge but they are ignorant when it comes to handling emotional knowledge.

    April 13, 2010 at 7:32 am |
  31. Terry Washington State

    I was raised when spanking was the norm. Your neighbor could do it in place of your mother if you were caught doing something rather naughty. I had my share. I've never struck another person. I did spank my children, not often, as far as I know, they have never been in a fight. In my world it has not proven to instigate violence. I do however abhor children being beaten. It should never happen.

    April 13, 2010 at 7:32 am |
  32. JM

    Children must have consistent discipline, including corporal punishment. The lack of this combination has created adults with problems. The people behind the study probably had issues with their lack of discipline as children.

    April 13, 2010 at 7:32 am |
  33. Kathy

    With my children, I have 1 that is 14 and 1 that is 5, time out never worked for my oldest at all, but a spanking got the point across and permanently corrected the behavior. My 5 year old, when she was 3 and 4 time out worked SOMETIMES but the unacceptable would be repeated a few weeks later. Now, when I spank her the bad behavior is rarely repeated 3 to 6 months later.

    April 13, 2010 at 7:32 am |
  34. Gina

    My Husband's parents did not spare the rod. As per the bible (they were very religious), they beat him relentlessly, until he was big enough to stay their hand. Then he spent the next 20 years relentlessly beating anyone who looked at him wrong. It took many years for him to learn to control this urge. He's not fought for a decade now. He initiated his recovery on his own–no bible required. And he still loves his parents.

    April 13, 2010 at 7:32 am |
  35. Nick

    How would it be if you made a mistake at work and your boss come up to you and slapped you across the face..well he would be in jail. Yet, thats exactly what we do to our children. All that "spare the rod, spoil the child" crap is CRAP. To hit someone only shows YOUR frustration with the situation. No wonder we are such a violent society.

    April 13, 2010 at 7:31 am |
  36. canderson

    spanking is fine as long as it is used with time out and the parent know how much force is being used with the spanking. If you spank your child you should have a specific reason for it and it should be explained to the child. Used as the last line of punishment it is a good tool

    April 13, 2010 at 7:31 am |
  37. manav

    yes, the paddling is essential in raisng children the old fashioned way,
    look at the youth in high school – the main reason our children in high school are so much behind and have no respect for elders, teachers, education, school property or anything because children are not being raised properly.

    now look back at the way we all baby boomers or even older people were raised and paddled or spanked everytime we did somthing wrong by our teachers – elders or parents and see the difference.

    keep the spanking option and paddling option open and it will solve
    the education issue down the road for children taken care of too.

    manav

    April 13, 2010 at 7:30 am |
  38. jeanette

    This is the problem with our children now, they are not being discpline. I was spanked when I was a child and I turned out fine, I appreciate what my mother did to me, which made me a better person. Time out WOW........ That does not work.

    April 13, 2010 at 7:30 am |
  39. Teena DAnnibale

    I have four successful adult children. My oldest daughter spent 8 years in the Army as a combat medic, had to leave on a Medical Discharge, served in Operation Freedom and has a lovely husband and daughter; the next daughter is in grad school for Sports Medicine, smart as a whip and the nicest person you want to meet; twin sons, just a year younger than her are about to graduate as teachers. Both have lovely women who love them, one is marrying in June and has a beautiful two year old whom he and his wife parented while finishing college. They both play sports and have 3.5 GPAs and HAVE NEVER BEEN SPANKED!!!

    How can a parent justify telling their children not to hit someone if THEY hit them!!!!!!!!!!

    April 13, 2010 at 7:30 am |
  40. Melon

    Sorry Ralphy but I probably have kids older than you (my oldest will be 30 on his next birthday). I was a spoiled brat growing up?.. lol.. I only wish. I was "spanked" every time I even thought about misbehaving, which is why I was determined not to raise my kids that way. There are other and more effective ways of disciplining kids without inflicting violence on them.

    April 13, 2010 at 7:30 am |
  41. Necie Smith

    I have two now young adult sons. After several time of them not hearing my verbal request... I would tell them you didn't hear me maybe you will feel me. My oldest 29 & the youngest 22 will tell you themselves, spanking made them better men.

    April 13, 2010 at 7:28 am |
  42. Grant Wright

    I will stop using phisicall disipline when soceity stops I'm not gonna train my kids that if you do wrong then you go to the corner in society if U don't obey they commands of a police officer what do they do they tell U once tell U twice then make U do want they want by phisicall means whats the difference

    April 13, 2010 at 7:27 am |
  43. Carol S.

    Spanking, not beating is an acceptable discipline as far as I'm concerned. Both my children had their fair share...not an across the lap spanking, but a couple good swats to get my point through to them. Time outs seem to demoralize them, rather than increase their respect for their parents.

    April 13, 2010 at 7:26 am |
  44. Sheri Pierce

    On the subject of spanking you child or not: I was spanked, my siblings were spanked. Sure we've had our problems. Who hasn't? But... we, as most of my friends and others my age show more respect for others. It seems to me that the growing aggression and great lack of disrespect stems from several decades ago when SOMONE decided spanking your children was wrong. Since that time children have grown up with a lack of respect not only for others, but for themselves as well. Then, with having that lack of respect, came the aggression, which led to the bullying. What is wrong with these people who allow their children to act this way? Oh yeah, they're not being spanked and taught to have respect for others. How can they when they were raised by parents who were raised the same way? Catch my drift? I have to say though, that lately I have had more men, of all ages hold open doors for me. What a nice change from having it closed in your face.

    April 13, 2010 at 7:23 am |
  45. Bea Christiansen

    SPANKING A CHILD TEACHES THEM THAT PHYSICAL CONTACT IS THE WAY TO RESOLVE CONFLICT.

    At 70+ yrs.old, and the victim of physical abuse as a child, you resort to physical means to resolve issues when you have children.
    God didn't give us these 'special gifts' to enrich our lives for us to place our hands on them in anger! If I could live my life over, I would NEVER spank a child... for any reason!!
    Thank you for my input.

    Bea Christiansen

    April 13, 2010 at 7:22 am |
  46. Marie

    It is not about spanking. It is the lack of parents today "knowing" their children. When the laws against corporal abuse by educators was passed it was based on extreme cases,(as is always the case in these types of laws), which enabled parents to to threaten educators with law suits for merely setting a violent student outside of a class room, this law took the power to enforce rules out of the hands of professional educatorsand into the courts. The "NOT MY CHILD" needs to stop. Parents are remiss in this whole arena. First, you know if your child is a bully because some teacher has called you in at some time, second what have you done about it? There has to be a method afforded to those educating your child to apply disipline, I do not beleive that beating a child is the answer, however, I believe that if you are told that your child is a problem, and you do nothing, then the school should have the ability to ask your child to leave. It is your childs job, as is yours, to do well in their social environment, if they do not then it is your responsibilty to address the issue not the schools. Throughout our lives there will always be bullies. Teach your child how to deal with them. As my Grandmother used to say, " your child must fear you about one inch, but know you love them a mile". Children today are defended by mom and dad for bad behavior, in my time, I was grounded for the rest of my life. Or as my dad said, "we can discuss this, or a time out, and if nothing changes we will resort to a spanking-your choice".

    April 13, 2010 at 7:20 am |
  47. Bobbi from Indiana

    As a parent that tried spanking as discipline,
    We stopped spanking because we didnt like the results, We experienced more aggression from our child and it was like we were always fighting. That was not how we wanted our child to remember her childhood.
    We have tried many discipline tactics until we found what worked for our child. I really believe its a balanceing act and what may work for one child will not necissarily work for others or thier siblings.
    When I was a child the form of discipline we recieved was spanking we are not violent and have had no tendancies toward violence, But this was what worked for my parents and was socially acceptable at the time.

    April 13, 2010 at 7:19 am |
  48. Autumn Meadows

    Ok I am sorry. I rarely spank only when other things dont work like taking away toys and time with the wii but this test was done with 3 year old?? and then at 5 they were more aggressive..WELL DUH..3 year olds do not understand the concept of punishment yet with words and so when you spank them they translate that way different than if you spank a 6 year old explaining why it is happening. I would never think about spanking a 3 year old??they dont understand what is going on. This test is failable because it is not testing ALL kids ages ACROSS THE BOARD..only little ones who cannot communicate correctly. I am sick and tired of people demonizing parents who spank. Jesus H Christ in the 50s all the way up to the 70's spanking with belts, switches and other things were totally acceptable and you don't see the 70s grown up people all violent..no in fact they were way laid back and hated WAR!
    Good grief.. kids are out of control because parents ARENT paying any attention to them..let them run all over the malls by themselves, all on the streets by themselves while mom plays on the interenet all day or works a second job. Its the lack of personal attention these kids get that causes them to act out..NOT corrective displine with spanking!!

    April 13, 2010 at 7:16 am |
  49. DEBRA ANN WILLIAMS

    I think they should bring it back to a limit Something need to be done or else our kids will be lost in the next ten years .

    April 13, 2010 at 7:16 am |
  50. Ralph Beach

    @ American Morning, We can argue the spanking issue until our faces turn blue and it will not change how anyone feels about it. All I can say about bullying is that it is taken from example of the parent.

    April 13, 2010 at 7:15 am |
  51. DeLia

    My children are in their twenties. I did not spank (often), especially not in public. People were all too ready to turn a person in to child protective services for what they suspected was "abuse".

    One thing I think spanking a child does is send that child mixed messages: It's ok for me (the parent) to spank you (the child) but it's not ok for you to hit others.

    There are many others ways to discipline a child and teach respect.
    BTW, No, I do not remember being spanked as a child.

    April 13, 2010 at 7:15 am |
  52. Neil

    Good morning, I am the father of a 6y.o and 4 y.o-both boys. In our home we discuss "heart issues" rather than creating a list of 300 rules to follow eg. don't hit your brother, don't throw balls at the windows, no running in the house. Alternatively we discuss–"be kind, be gentle, be respectful, be encouraging, be truthful". When behavior is outside of the appropriate "heart issue", we talk that through and it is followed by a time out. After the time out, then the child needs to seek forgiveness from the person he wronged (and in our house seek forgiveness from the Lord). At this point, and it is well known by our children, if the unwanted behavior persists there will be an escalated consequence for their action–a spank. Not in anger, but in loving correction–this includes a hug, a prayer, and connection to the heart issue. We are trying to mold the child's heart to healthy citizenship.

    April 13, 2010 at 7:13 am |
  53. paul

    request – I read the article on cnn money regarding better ways to raise taxes.

    At some point would someone at cnn take a critical look at what is being spent? I don't recall hearing anything of critical or cynical nature being mentioned or reported during the health care sale or any of the bailouts.

    April 13, 2010 at 7:13 am |
  54. Jeff

    Come on guys.........the reason young children SHOULD be spanked is because they cannot understand the verbal explanations regarding WHY they should not do certain things or act-out in certain ways. It's just like when a kid does'nt truly understand what you meant when you told them "don't touch the hot stove" UNTIL they touch it and it hurts. Parents MUST, however, make sure that after you spank your child that you do reinforce the spanking with a SIMPLE verbal explanation that "they must respect and obey you as their parent"........then.........you tell them that you LOVE them always. Once a parent knows that their kid can TRULY comprehend advanced verbal explanations concerning why they should'nt do certain things or act-out in certain ways......from then on you should not spank them. ALSO, teach your kids to learn respect for adults EARLY by teachiing them to say "yes sir/mam" and "no sir/mam".......it WORKS!

    April 13, 2010 at 7:12 am |
  55. Beyond-The-Political-Spectrum.blogspot

    ...yeah, "talking" to your children assumes that it works for all children, which it doesn't. We have become a nation where our children control adults because they have been given all the rights as adults. Children are not adults...they have their place, and we have ours, and you simply do not treat them as your 'friends;" They are your responsibility! And we wonder why we have children shooting up schools, attacking adults (including their our parents) as they would each other, and why they have no respect for authority. You can still spank your children and love them at the same time...parents have been doing it for centuries before New-Age thinking removed that particular sanction.

    April 13, 2010 at 7:11 am |
  56. timmsa

    I am so tired of this age old debate. Back in the day when I was growing up if did something wrong we got spanked. My brother and I are not violent in anyway.

    None of my children are violent in any way. This is what is wrong with the society's children today, the parents need to stand up and take responsibility for their children.

    I don't where these researchers get this information but sometimes children need to be spanked. Especially if there is a dangerous situation that is happening.

    I do agree that parents should explain to children why they are being spanked, so they know understand why.

    If these children who are in youth authority's were disciplined with spanking, do you really think that they would be where they are?

    I would really curious to see if these researchers have children and how they discipline their children.

    I am just so tired of their researchers saying we should do this and we should do that. Stop already, I am sure there are more serious problems in the world that could be studied and fixed.

    I had my children and i have a scare on my stomach from having my children. So until you walk a day in my shoes, don't tell me how to raise my children and don't tell me how I should discipline my children.

    April 13, 2010 at 7:11 am |
  57. Nadine

    Children must learn limitations. Especially when they are learning to respect their fellow man. Many do not want to t teach children who have not been taught trained or experienced some type of limits.

    April 13, 2010 at 7:11 am |
  58. matt j

    I can tell in public setting which parents dont spank their kids, they are the ones that are pulling things off the shelves and dont mind their parents. As an adult who was spanked as a child, I wish I would have gotten time out then I could have just done whatever I wanted with a little "time out" breather in between disruptive acts.

    April 13, 2010 at 7:10 am |
  59. David

    Good Morning CNN!

    I remember growing up, my parents speaking about their parents spanking them..i grew up with 3 brothers and 2 sisters..we were all spanked..i am a parent and when it warrants..a good spanking is also applied in my household...my parents were'nt violent/bullies..my siblings were'nt..and my 4 kids are'nt..i am not a scientist..but i think there is something much deeper which may be causing this deviant behavior in the young kids. It easy to blame spanking because its so easy to see..but what about the things that go on in homes that u CAN'T see...

    April 13, 2010 at 7:09 am |
  60. Dan

    I have two teenagers. They are kind, considerate and not aggresive towards others. I attribute this to the fact that they have NEVER been spanked.

    April 13, 2010 at 7:08 am |
  61. Ralph Beach

    Uncle, I agree with you 100%...I did the same thing with my son and I only spanked him 5 times his whole life and he respects me for it.

    April 13, 2010 at 7:07 am |
  62. April

    Kids are more violent because of what they watch on TV. I would like to see a study that shows violence compared to number of hours spent watching TV or playing games. Sometimes you need to spank. How can you reason with a 18month old? If they are sticking a fork in the electric socket you have to make an impression so they won't do it again. Telling them its dangerous and they can get hurt is meaningless to them because they are not mentally capable of understanding that there are specific consequences to their actions..

    April 13, 2010 at 7:06 am |
  63. donna

    I thank parents should spank their children. It seems today children are running the world. It is time for the alpha male/female to take charge in disapline their children.
    I was spanked as a child I am not mean or angry. I spanked my child when she did wrong. I see kids slapping their parents in public and the parent tell the child "wait until I get you to time out" in the mean time this child is beating his mother.
    I say spank that ass!!!

    April 13, 2010 at 7:06 am |
  64. Rob in Pittsfield

    Correct me if I'm wrong, but we are just talking about slapping a child on the bum. That's not going to create a hateful, hurtful child. The absence of loving parenting, and the knowledge that we can't touch them is what is creating children we can't control.

    April 13, 2010 at 7:06 am |
  65. Rusk

    while spanking is not bad, excessive spanking is meaningless. Too much of everything is bad, as the saying goes.

    April 13, 2010 at 7:06 am |
  66. David G.

    I am not a parent, but as a child I was spanked. I am now a 25 year old man with no history of violence, no grudge against my parents, I've never been to prison, I graduated top of my class and have a good career. Spanking is not the issue, it's letting your kids control you or waiting too far into their development to do something about their behavior issues. Beating and spanking are two different things. If parents disciplined their children correctly, they would understand the meaning of respect as well as control for ones actions and responsibility as well.

    April 13, 2010 at 7:06 am |
  67. YourPoliticalAnimal

    Spanking should be done judiciously and only on the fatty parts of the body, ie, the buttocks and the thighs . . . it should be accompanied by a thorough explanation for the discipline and should be preceded and followed up with a loving relationship between the parent(s) and the child. Our father whipped us with a belt out of anger, but at least he did discipline us for our childhood foolishness. All three of us are gainfully employed and living as good citizens of the U.S.

    Athens, GA

    April 13, 2010 at 7:05 am |
  68. Cheryl

    I have found just the opposite. The people in my family who did not believe is spanking can not control their kids. They are way out of hand. I spanked my daughter. She is not violent. She knows the rules and she abides by them. Her friends who were not spanked have been arrested and have gotten into drugs. There is nothing wrong with spanking as long as you do not abuse your child.

    Time out is the reason we have kids out of control on drugs. Abusing their parents and losing their morals because they know with time out the parents are not going to do anything. They have no boundaries. It is laughable when I talk to my relatives and they tell me they do not understand why my child is not giving me problems they way their kids are.

    April 13, 2010 at 7:05 am |
  69. Dee

    Growing up, I was spanked, my husband was spanked, my friends were spanked, my kids were spanked. None of us were violent at any time. The problem is, most parents don't know how to administer a spanking. If a spanking is given out of anger (by the parent) instead of for the good of the child then yes, I can' understand violence. If a child understands, and I hate to say it, that the spanking is for his own good, and it is done out of love, then the effect is positive.

    April 13, 2010 at 7:05 am |
  70. Dan H

    When I was young, I was spanked by mom, dad, grandma and my teachers if I misbehaved. It didn't make me violent, it made me realize that there would be unpleasant consequences for acting badly. It works. You cannot reason with a 2 year old. Thank you, mom.

    April 13, 2010 at 7:04 am |
  71. Joanne

    I was spanked as a child and I showed no aggression towards other kids. Let's face it... Kids have poor boundaries like their parents and consequences are apart of life along with respect, integrity and character. Maybe with those tail warmings they need to include family dinners, reading bedtime stories, spending quality time with their kid the important things in life that any child needs to reaffirm their place and importance.

    April 13, 2010 at 7:04 am |
  72. miranda taylor

    putting a kid over your knee and giving them a few swats is one thing, slapping and hitting a kid every time they breath wrong is way past okay, when parents do this, they know it`s wrong, and that makes it even worse.

    April 13, 2010 at 7:04 am |
  73. Derek

    My brother and I were spanked as kids, and we are both slow to anger, and have a very even temperment. I think kids that are NOT spanked think there is no real consequence for misbehaving. Walk into any supermarket and watch how parents react to their kids wailing. The ones that stop crying immediately after being told to sharply are the ones that probably get spanked. The ones that continue despite their parents pleading with them to stop probably do not. Spanking is needed in my opinion.

    April 13, 2010 at 7:04 am |
  74. Ralph Beach

    Melon, And just to add about my getting hit in the head....I was hit in the head quite a few times when I was a kid ( I know, "Now I see why you say that Ralph"....Right?)... I am thankful for getting spanked by my parents. I didn't grow up to be a jerk!

    April 13, 2010 at 7:03 am |
  75. Karen from SC

    I would get into a lot of trouble when I was a kid and got spanked for it. It only made me rebel against my parents more. As a parent now, I don't spank my children and I have not had as many trouble issues with them. Besides now you can take away their computers, the tv out of their rooms, cellohones. That hurts them more than any phsical punishment.

    April 13, 2010 at 7:01 am |
  76. tx teacher

    Its the kids that don't get any discipline at home that are the most out of control and likely to bully other kids (at least thats what I see in the high school environment where I work.) A parent is there to teach a kid the right way to do things, as well a manners and respect. So if it takes a good ol' fashioned spanking to get your kids in line, then do it. They need an authority figure and at least one parent should step up to that role.

    @Melon: It is completely different as an adult. An adult's actions are deliberate and rationally / usually not temper tantrums. Your analogy does not apply here!

    April 13, 2010 at 7:01 am |
  77. paul

    spanking seems to a simple and immediate response by adults, have never figured out the benefits of spanking.

    I had parents that didn't spank, i am a parent and haven't spanked- not because I read a study

    Not sure i needed a study to let me know about spanking.

    April 13, 2010 at 7:01 am |
  78. Mike in NC

    This is the problem with today's youth. The government stepping in and telling us we cannot spank our children. I don't know how Tulane University got those results but I know for fact I was spanked when I deserved it and I did not grow up being defiant nor hitting others.

    It was a sad day when a case worker can be called by a child, or a teacher or other professional and the parent arrested for simply trying to disciplinie the child because a case worker does not agree with corporal punishment.

    April 13, 2010 at 7:01 am |
  79. Luke

    Spanking is a good thing, but like so many others, just needs to be done in moderation. My brother and I were spanked as children, but we knew that if we were about to be spanked it was a last resort, that my parents had tried everything else in the particular situation. It was done then it was over.
    My children had the same experience. They were spanked, but not just over nothing, it was a last resort. My children are not violent or defiant. They are well balanced, level headed kids

    April 13, 2010 at 7:01 am |
  80. Melon

    Spanking only serves to teach kid's that violence is acceptable.

    April 13, 2010 at 7:00 am |
  81. Ralph Beach

    Melon, It seems to me that you were a spoiled brat as a child and that you don't have kids. I blame people like you for allowing kids to be the way they are today. Don't disrespect what I say just because I make a comment. Do I disrespect you even though you know nothing about kids?

    April 13, 2010 at 6:59 am |
  82. Christy

    Spanking a child can be very effective if done correctly. If a child is being disobedient, then a good hand across the bottom can remind them who is in control. A kick across the head is NOT a form of spanking, it just straight out child abuse.

    Parents should not always give in to their child every time they whine and cry. Doing so, will just let them think they can get away with everything and can lead to a horrible life style that can harm them in the long run.

    April 13, 2010 at 6:59 am |
  83. Lucy

    Hitting a child involves the same mentality that said it was okay to hit a woman, or an employee, or a slave. It is NEVER okay to hit another person, period – least of all a defenseless child. We all have a right to personal safety – especially in our own home. Children are the one group that has no recourse; anyone else under attack can call the police and get protection.

    April 13, 2010 at 6:58 am |
  84. Allison

    Parents need to teach their children work ethic and respect.

    If children that are spanked at age 3 are more aggressive, please explain all the violence in today's world by teens.

    April 13, 2010 at 6:58 am |
  85. Cody-Orangevale, CA

    The Jeanie Moos segments are THE BEST on CNN

    April 13, 2010 at 6:57 am |
  86. UncleStrech

    Spanking is not the thing that creates a bully, It is the Language used before and after the spanking! We need to explain why they got spanked in a calm logical manner so that the child does not repeat their actions

    April 13, 2010 at 6:56 am |
  87. Joseph Daniel Brian Lawlor

    I never spank what I am raising/growing...four kids now young adults and all I had to do was to raise my voice and never my hand to have their attention. Comes down to parenting does it not?

    April 13, 2010 at 6:53 am |
  88. Amanda

    Correlation does not prove causality. There is an assumption here that spanking actually causes increased aggression; however, aggression may simply be genetic, as parents who spank can be classified as more aggressive than those who do not.

    April 13, 2010 at 6:53 am |
  89. American Morning

    @Ralph, Melon – John and Kiran just read your comments on the show

    April 13, 2010 at 6:52 am |
  90. Dawna Melanson

    I was spanked as a child and I didn't hit other children or act out in any negative way. I don't know where they get their information but most of my friends at the time when I was growing up, have been spanked and none of them did as what today's evidence shows. Spanking is not the problem, teaching children to respect others is what is lacking. A tap on the behind is acceptable, a beating is not.

    April 13, 2010 at 6:52 am |
  91. Melon

    Spare the bible – save a child.

    April 13, 2010 at 6:44 am |
  92. Joseph Daniel Brian Lawlor

    Thank you Ron. enough said on that topic...

    China rising...Christine hit on something so important yesterday I wonder if she understands the fullness of it all.

    Government, Industry, Finance, Academic, Military, Media, Religion(spirituality+ethics) and the People. All parts to one operating system that China sees and works while other nations see them as separate systems independent of one another. China is rising while the other nations fail and fall...each nation like a child in a global schoolyard. Who gets the passing grade here Christine?

    April 13, 2010 at 6:44 am |
  93. Cody-Orangevale, CA

    So how about Conan going to TBS ?

    April 13, 2010 at 6:43 am |
  94. Cody-Orangevale, CA

    Greeting CNN!

    April 13, 2010 at 6:36 am |
  95. Ron

    Spare the rod spoil the child! I think if we was to actual live according to the bible we wouldn't have to have these types of convos......Duh!!!

    April 13, 2010 at 6:32 am |
  96. Melon

    So Ralph.. when you are disrespectful as an adult ... someone should just hit you in the head.

    Nice thinking there!

    April 13, 2010 at 6:31 am |
  97. Melon

    Good Morning CNN!

    Kids shouldn't be spanked ever but sometimes it sure seems they "deserve" it.

    What's more stand up – Sarah Palin or a Canadian making comments on AMERICAN politics?

    April 13, 2010 at 6:26 am |
  98. Ralph Beach

    It is not the spanking that make kids defiant, It is the parents fault for spoiling the kids and the kids get away with so much these days. I say, when a kid gets too much out of hand .... put him/her over your knee and teach them respect!

    April 13, 2010 at 6:13 am |
  99. Jamie in Canada

    It wasn't that long ago Sarah palin was here in calgary and I keep hearing her and seeing her in the news. Does she gave anything intelligent to say ever or is this political stand up? Why even bother covering her actions when there are so many other more important stories to cover?

    April 13, 2010 at 6:07 am |
  100. Wendy

    Why hasn't anyone mentioned the Republicans " finally " went down to New Orleans-where have they been for the past 5 years???

    April 13, 2010 at 6:02 am |
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