Muncie man receives mixed reactions after Facebook post goes viral

Audrey J. Kirby | The Star Press

Show Caption Hide Caption Spanking kids early on may cause years of damage A new study finds that spanking children at an early age can negatively impact child development for years to come. Here's how.

MUNCIE, Ind. — A Muncie man found himself in the social media spotlight after a joke he posted on Facebook went viral.

On July 24, Dwayne Stamper Sr., a father of five, posted a picture of himself sitting next to a paddle and a sign offering "Free Ass Whoopins!" to parents whose kids are being disruptive.

"Parents, your kids need a whoopin? Summer can't end fast enough?" the post read. "Stop by, I'm set up! No kids over 13 ... They may whoop me," ending with a winking emoji.

It exploded on social media, collecting more than 8,500 reactions, nearly 10,000 comments and close to 178,000 shares as of July 31. The picture was even used in memes.

"We need more like you!" one user commented. Many shared that they thought the picture was funny. Others who were more opposed to the idea condemned it as a promotion of violence. One called the post "disgusting."

In just two days, the picture had garnered enough attention for Stamper to post a follow-up. He shared that he has had close to 1,000 new Facebook friend requests and messages asking for parenting advice, but also death threats and name-calling.

"If people actually knew me, they'd know that was a joke," Stamper said, noting that he's only in favor of this form of punishment "when it's absolutely necessary." He also acknowledged that some children react differently to different punishments and "you shouldn't whoop them over everything. It's not effective."

He said the post came after he was at a local restaurant, and a child about 5 or 6 years old was throwing a fit. He said the crying continued, so he told the woman with the child, supposedly the mother, that spanking the boy would get him to stop.

Audrey Kirby is a reporter at the Star Press. Follow her on Twitter @ajanekirby, and email her story ideas: ajkirby@muncie.gannett.com.