To Spank or Not to Spank . . . ?

Something To Think About, Parenting

Some recent incidents involving well-known athletes and their children have once again brought the debate concerning the corporal discipline of children to the fore.  Retired NBA star Charles Barkley commented on the uproar.  His comments might not have been as carefully articulated as one would want, but the bottom line point he made is worth considering.  Barkley grew up in an environment where parents spanking their children was a common means of discipline.  The implied question behind his comments is, "What would you rather have, what we have now, or a situation in which children were actually loved and disciplined by parents who were constructively involved in their lives?" More than half a century ago I was raised in a home where corporal punishment was part of the means by which my parents sought to impart discipline, self-control, and the knowledge that actions have consequences to me.  With complete conviction I say, I was not abused.  I am a better man because of that up-bringing The Book of Proverbs speaks of the "rod" nine times.  At least five of those are related to the discipline of children.  (13:24, 22:15, 23:13-14, & 29:15)  Some interpreters have adopted creative ways of explaining away what these texts appear to say--appropriately applied corporal punishment is, or at least can be, a good thing.  I don't think they succeed.  The rod is what the rod is. Supplementing these references from thebook of wisdom is this word about the only perfect father, "WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES, AND HE SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES.”  (Hebrews 12:6)  Check out that word translated "scourge." The text goes on to specifically speak about how the Lord's discipline is unpleasant.  We might consider ourselves abused when we are in the midst of this discipline, yet, if we endure we reap the good result. Are there children who are abused by misapplied, extreme, or perverted forms of discipline, so-called?  Yes, and we should make no room for such behavior.  When we follow the popular knee-jerk line of thinking, however, that all forms of discipline that involve physical pain are wrong we heap abuse on many more children, and even on society at large.   It's Something To Think About.