Why don't kids get spanked today?

Personally, I'm not going to just talk about spanking, I am going to talk about punishment and being forced to do things in general.

I haven't met a 2-7 year old in the past 3 years who actually had to listen to their parents, got spanked or punished. We have a 3 year old boy who won't eat anything but chicken nuggets and fruit snacks, carries a ******* blanket, cries until he gets his way and is a complete bully. Why? Because his parents baby him and don't want to make their kid do anything.

We have another 3 year old who we had to potty train (my mom babysits incase you're wondering) because she was still shitting on herself. She also steals from us, and stores and her mom doesn't punish her for it.

People are too attached to their kids, and too obsessed with making them like them.

EDIT: Um, what's up with the answer saying they don't really think that the asker is 17? Why does that matter? I am 17 and I got spanked, my brother is almost 21 and got spanked, my sister is 14 and got spanked and my parents are 40 and got spanked. Has nothing to do with age, has to do with the parents.

I don't think spanking works, I was still a brat and my siblings and I picked being spanked over actual punishment... but there is nothing wrong with it.

I know this was a long time ago, but I never got spanked, and I am not doing anything of this stuff like stealing and so on. I am not disrespectful and I do the right things. I think it is sad if parents have to spank their children because there are so many other ways which are better. My parents just always influenced me through bad conscience and bad conscience is much worse than getting spanked.

Additionally, it does not mean anything if you did not get spanked, I am just saying, but I am a really nice person (that's what at least other people say about me) and I am very successful in life.

I notice that everybody thinks that their generation was the last one to get spanked, and then parents suddenly just stopped spanking kids. You're only 17, and plenty of older people would claim that your generation didn't get spanked either and as a result, turned out horrible. Honestly, the majority of parents have always and still do spank their kids. It's still legal in the US and at least 70% of parents approve of using it as a form of punishment. So if kids are really that bad we can't blame it solely on a lack of spanking. I think the biggest problem is parents just not spending enough time with their kids, either because they are just lazy and can't be bothered, or because they work 24/7. And many parents who do spank do it mostly out of anger and frustration, which is not effective at all and might just make the child's behavior worse.

Children misbehave because they are testing boundaries. They basically want to find out what they can get away with. The only way to change a behavior is to have a consistent consequence so they can learn what they aren't allowed to do. Any punishment will change a behavior as long as its consistent. But if you punish a kid for something one time and let it slide the next, discipline becomes worthless.

I know, it's something new. I mean as long as you're not taking the spanking too far (going beyond one, maybe two, smacks on the butt) then it's actually HELPFUL. I hear about people who say they didn't get spanked as a kid and grew up fine. Ok, some people don't need it. But some kids do. Ever heard of learning a lesson through getting hurt? Like touching a hot stove, for example. You touch it once and know never to touch it again. I give my boy light spankings for small stuff he does (over the pants and diaper -- he's 2) or raw-butt spankings for big stuff (like running off when I'm trying to get him in the car). He and I are super close and I know this isn't affecting him negatively.

Not spanking isn't the problem. Parental inconsistency is the problem. Regardless of the chosen method of discipline, parents MUST be consistent in enforcement if they are to be successful. A child will push the limits to see exactly what they can and cannot get by with. Let them slide once and they will do it again, assuming that the behavior is acceptable. Your niece is disrespectful because she has been permitted to be disrespectful, not because she hasn't been spanked.

I tell you what my thoughts are.

I think your a liar, your not 17 years old. You saying that to convince us that there is some element of truth in this spanking idea.

What you failed to consider is that like yourself, the people that opposite; even if they were so disrespectful as you claim, they will do exactly the same thing as you and use propaganda and tactics to stop it occurring. This is because it is a power-struggle.

You can argue the toss for the rest of your life, but one thing is always sure as hell; that the people who take your side are fighting a losing battle. And you know what, it isn't me that's on the loser's side!

End of story.

I know right. This was the best way of discipline until some parents started taking it too far. Here in new zealand there is alot of violence against kids that don't deserve it. But lets face it some children need a stern smack. This just lets children get away with more. There should just be a limit to the smacking.

I don't believe your parents did the right thing for you by hitting you. I think they were too lazy to teach you so they waited until they were upset and were aggressive so you would stop.

I think your niece needs more attention and teaching moments in her life.

We don't hit the people we love in our family. My son gets taught. It's not always easy to be patient but if I can do that for complete stranger (or I would be charged with assault) surely I can be thoughtful and patient while teaching my child.

Because too many people assume that spanking will damage the psyche of the child. Im a firm believer in spanking, and I have 3 kids. I spanked them when they were younger and they are well behaved preteens today, respectful too. BTW: kid who hits their parents have absolutely no respect for authority...future jail inmate right there..i never ever ever ever would have raised a finger to my mother and my kids have never ever ever raised a hand to me, not ever