The repercussions that childhood assault, more commonly known as spanking, has on the adult that emerges later in life is profound and devastating. Violence does not solve any problem in “government”, nor in parenting. It also does not justify the propagation of further violence. Warranting violence to solve violence is the vicious cycle that only begets more resentment, grudges, and violence. Those who are deemed as “violent personalities” are oftentimes themselves the result of a violent upbringing. The “government” kidnapping of such people, and placing them in a cage, or execution through capital punishment does absolutely nothing to solve the underlying problem of violent parenting begetting violent adults later in life. It is the parents that must be educated when it comes to this unfortunate situation. The problem must be addressed at the root, rather than hacking away at the branches.

Childhood spanking is a euphemism for what it really is, physical assault of another human being. It is even more egregious in nature than physical assault of another adult, since an adult can at least move to defend themselves against such attacks. The child is made to feel as guilt, and shame for disobeying the “authority” of the parents, and is forced to endure whatever physical punishment the parent deems worthy. This violates the most basic trust a child has in his parents who, as guardians and protectors, are attacking and injuring them. The child must endure such assault without question for fear of reprisal.

Parental justifications for spanking include, “this is for your own good,” “you made me do it,” or “you brought this on yourself.” It is, to my knowledge, the only area of human relations in which physical assault goes unpunished. A man cannot physically assault his wife and say, “this is for your own good,” or “you brought this on yourself.” Such a man would have hell to pay for such reprehensible actions. Why then when it is applied to children does this contemptible action go not only unpunished, but is encouraged by the majority of the population?

Some say, “well, children are immature.” As if being born, and developing is a crime. If this is true can we physically assault those with dementia, or mental retardation when they don’t act according to our whims? Some people justify spanking by saying, “it is because they are small.” If this is true can we physically assault midgets and those with growth plate disorders? I hope the lunacy of these assertions is apparent.

Children are not to blame. They can never be to blame. They come into this world as an uninhibited, and unrestrained blank slate, on which we etch all the prejudices, biases, violence, love, and compassion they absorb through our actions and words. They do not do things out of unprovoked malice. They only do “wrong” when they are assessed according to what society deems as acceptable and correct.

Parents must be protectors and guardians, not perpetrators of violence and coercion. A parent’s main duty is to ensure that the child does not injure themselves. That’s it! Anything more is a violation of the child’s personal liberty, self ownership, and sovereign rights. A child should not be treated any differently than an adult would. Children are not stupid or immature; rather they have come into this world with open and unbiased eyes, the very traits that many adults would do well to cultivate in themselves. Our response to that is to beat this peaceful and inquisitive nature into submission with our rigid government school indoctrination, societal conditioning, and physical discipline should they refuse to comply.

Here is a wonderful TED talk on the grave effects spanking and corporal punishment can have on a child, and on the adult that will later emerge. Our world can fundamentally shift in a truly meaningful way if we were to treat children with the same dignity and respect we would a friend or peer. A human is a human, regardless of size, emotional maturity, or intellectual development. Aggression towards children is one of the primary causes of mental, physical, and emotional illness, drug addiction, and suicidal tendencies later in life.

There is an abundance of information available now regarding the harmful effects of spanking and corporal punishment on children. When your child is all grown, and capable of independent critical and analytical thought, do you really want your child to view you as a medieval brute that ascribed to barbaric practices when there was a wealth of information available disproving the benefits of such savagery? Put down the wooden spoon, stick, cable, or belt and prove to your child that you are the mature rational adult that you hope they would become. Unclench your fists, and lower your arm to show your children that violence is never the answer to any problem.

An average grown man is at least 5-6 times larger and much stronger than any toddler. Hitting such a small human being proves nothing but your own parental inadequacy and spiritual weakness. The test of a grown man’s might is not its application, but his ability to deliver the gentlest caress when it is most needed.

Spousal abuse pales in severity, and frequency when measured against child abuse. Society is quite intolerant of a grown man hitting a woman who may be half, or three quarters his strength, yet it’s tolerant, nay genuinely encouraging regarding the beating of children. This cycle of violence and abuse must be stopped. It does not solve any behavioral problems, but in fact creates more. It does not teach respect, but rather blind obedience and fear.

Children are people who cannot defend themselves, and who must rely on their parents or guardians to protect them from anyone who would seek to harm them in any way. Now, if they are being harmed by the very people who should be protecting them, what kind of message does that send to them? And how do you think they will react to future problems as an adult? It is a vicious cycle that does not end. Violence begets violence.

All parents that spank or use corporal punishment with their kids are treating their children like unruly prisoners that must be violently reminded of their inferiority, and inadequacy. Might does not make right. One should not respect authority if authority is not worthy of being respected, which is most often the case. Our children are not prisoners. They are little people that are gracing our presence. Parents do not own their children to do with them what they will like one owns property. They require protection from harm in their most immature developmental stages until they reach maturity to decide and fend for themselves. This is the duty of parents and nothing more.

We all become parents for different reasons, however what cannot be argued is the incalculable effect one’s parenting style will have on the adult that will later emerge and hence shape the society of the future. The future belongs to our children. We have already had our chance. If we wish them to live in a world of peace and compassion perhaps our parenting style should reflect that sentiment. If not, then in raising them violently we are merely robbing them of the future prosperity they will never come to know.

Tags: children, Spanking, TED