Maddison J Kane
September 28, 2014
Prof. Corinna Jenkins Tucker
HDFS 641
Parenting Resource Paper
Spanking vs. Not Spanking
Spanking is the action of striking the buttocks of another person to cause temporary pain
without creating physical injury. In most cases an open hand is used and spanking is used as a
form of corporal punishment for a child. Corporal punishment is the use of physical force
causing pain, not wounds, but as a mean of correction. Both of these terms are of similar
meaning and spark debate in parenting communities across the world. The United States is
divided almost 50/50 across the country. So, why such a heated debate? Many people believe
that when a child acts out they need to be reprimanded, but how is it causing such a dispute?
Many child-development experts across the country agree that hitting is not that answer to a
misbehaving child, but 4 out of 5 parents still spank their kids. With this heated debate going on
many have taken to the Internet to voice their opinions. Two sites that show each side of the
debate are Anglefire.com and Stopspanking.org.
Anglefire.com is a pro-spanking/corporal punishment site created by psychologist Paul
Preston. The site has various topics for the reader to view including; Why Punishment is Needed,
Why Spanking is Needed, But the “Experts” Say…, How to Spank, When to Spank and more
(angelfire.com/zine2, 2004). The site also gives background on its creator and his credentials for
being able to create a site like this. Paul Preston is a psychologist who has studied both
psychology and education. He has been an educator for over 20 years and the information posted
on the site is from his personal research, and experience. The site was created to help inform
people of the positive of spanking and how to use in properly with your children.
Robbyn Bennett is the creator of StopSpanking.org, a non-profit organization that is
against spanking and corporal punishment. This website has various pieces of information that
are used to support alternatives to spanking. Videos, scholarly articles, a study and research are
all used throughout the site to discontinue the use of spanking. Various topics offered to the
readers are Aces Study, Alternatives to Spanking, What Can I Do? No-Spank Challenge and
more (stopspanking.org, 2014). This site also offers readers of the website to comment, and do
polled questions. Author Alfie Kohn, Rainbird Organization, Dr. Vincent J. Felitti and more have
all endorsed StopSpanking.org.
While both sites are taking strong view of either side of the debate on spanking they do
