Survey reveals a majority of Australian seniors are in favour of smacking
- Replies 8
Last week, we asked you, our wonderful SDC members, whether you think it’s okay to smack your children/grandchildren. You can find the poll here.
With 70.1% and 47 votes, the majority of SDC members voted… ‘YES’.
In second place was the ‘no’ votes with 22.4% and 15 votes.
7.5% of those surveyed, comprised of 5 voters, opted to explain their answer in the comments instead.
Shall we take a look at what your fellow members had to say about this contentious topic?
Let’s jump in!
For:
Member @Marvin Kombi: ‘I believe the problem these days with the longer generations is lack of discipline. Granted that, in our day, teachers, parents and caregivers went overboard with the whole discipline thing, but I firmly believe that bad behaviour deserves a reasonably firm smack on the bottom or back of legs with an open hand. Implements should never be used. Kids need to learn that there are severe consequences for bad behaviour, not just a firm word.’
Member @Nitwits: ‘Yes, a firm smack is all that is needed. I agree. Quiet time in the corner or sending them to their room does very little. Evidence of the lack of respect and other problems in the community tells us something is not working.’
Member @Macs-241: ‘Spanking is a way of discipline used to better your child for the future, to make them understand that there are consequences to their actions and disobedience. Spanking can also be used to stop kids from doing something they shouldn't be doing or stopping them from doing something dangerous that can potentially harm them.’
Member @ShirleyC2023: ‘People are forgetting that there is a difference between smacking and child abuse. It’s why our new youth today are so spoilt, disrespectful, get everything they want and do not know the meaning of "NO".’
Member @NotNats: ‘Smacking is ok up to the age of say 3 or 4 as a child under that age cannot fully understand other types of corrective behaviour. One slap with a firm NO is all that should be needed. Past that age, I believe a child can understand corrective behaviour like, time out or explaining why you have taken their favourite toy or made them sit in a corner (and never facing the wall). But always remember, if your hand slap has left a mark that lasts for more than a minute or two then you have slapped that child too hard.’
Member @Ian1: ‘My late parents raised us with firm physical punishment (by both smacking and the cane) if we misbehaved. It taught us what boundaries are, and we loved them dearly nonetheless. Also, we were given “six of the best” at school, which was a significant deterrent. There has certainly been a shift in ground-level punishment since we were kids in the 50’s and 60’s, and I believe these deterrents should be reinstated. We were taught RIGHT from WRONG.’
‘As for grandparents dishing out punishment, I’m not in favour, as they are not their kids. The grandparents were most likely raised without being interfered with by their grandparents. The discipline of children should begin with their natural parents or guardians. The most input the grandparents should have, beyond having their own house rules, is to report the kids’ errant behaviour for the parents to deal with appropriately.’
Against:
Member @Isis: What a conundrum. In the 40’s, a lot of children, including me, knew that do wrong, you get smacked. I was more than smacked, I was hit with a leather belt, my hiding place dads dogs kennel with the dog in front of me, he wouldn’t hit the dog.’
‘I was like most mums then the one in charge, yes my children were spanked. Always told you do this, I do this. Your choice, not mine.’
‘Now for the turnabout. Leaving a job I trained in my 50’s to work in childcare, over 12 years I had the best time both playing with teaching and loving these children, we couldn’t even say NO, I learned to express myself in many different ways. Eg, “I don’t like that.”
So there it is, discipline, yes. Find their currency and use it. Smacking not so much.’
Member @Suzanne rose: ‘When you look at bullies, you will find they are how they are because of the abuse they are copping from their parents and guardians.’
Member @lea61: ‘I did smack my children because that was what we did, but I would never lay a hand on my grandchildren I have learnt there are better ways to discipline a child. Plus my grandsons, all 7 of them, are like their grandma PERRRFECTTT
’
Alternatives to smacking:
Don’t want to resort to smacking but need a discipline method? Our wonderful members have provided some suggestions below:
Member @Suzanne rose: ‘I've always done punishments by removing a much-loved item for a certain time, this included video games. My other punishment was time out and if my eldest 2 sons would fight then I would make them hug for a few minutes and sing “we are the very best brothers”.’
Member @Sylvsptr: ‘The tone of your voice should be enough. My Dad just had to give us the look, and that was enough.’
We did warn you that it was a contentious one!
Want to read more? We’ve previously shared an article explaining the research behind smacking. Experts were able to discover whether or not smacking is harmful to children. You can read more here.
We’ll keep Your Say Sunday as a regular instalment, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled each week, and don’t forget to have your say!
With 70.1% and 47 votes, the majority of SDC members voted… ‘YES’.
In second place was the ‘no’ votes with 22.4% and 15 votes.
7.5% of those surveyed, comprised of 5 voters, opted to explain their answer in the comments instead.
Shall we take a look at what your fellow members had to say about this contentious topic?
Let’s jump in!
The results are in. Credit: SDC
For:
Member @Marvin Kombi: ‘I believe the problem these days with the longer generations is lack of discipline. Granted that, in our day, teachers, parents and caregivers went overboard with the whole discipline thing, but I firmly believe that bad behaviour deserves a reasonably firm smack on the bottom or back of legs with an open hand. Implements should never be used. Kids need to learn that there are severe consequences for bad behaviour, not just a firm word.’
Member @Nitwits: ‘Yes, a firm smack is all that is needed. I agree. Quiet time in the corner or sending them to their room does very little. Evidence of the lack of respect and other problems in the community tells us something is not working.’
Member @Macs-241: ‘Spanking is a way of discipline used to better your child for the future, to make them understand that there are consequences to their actions and disobedience. Spanking can also be used to stop kids from doing something they shouldn't be doing or stopping them from doing something dangerous that can potentially harm them.’
Member @ShirleyC2023: ‘People are forgetting that there is a difference between smacking and child abuse. It’s why our new youth today are so spoilt, disrespectful, get everything they want and do not know the meaning of "NO".’
Member @NotNats: ‘Smacking is ok up to the age of say 3 or 4 as a child under that age cannot fully understand other types of corrective behaviour. One slap with a firm NO is all that should be needed. Past that age, I believe a child can understand corrective behaviour like, time out or explaining why you have taken their favourite toy or made them sit in a corner (and never facing the wall). But always remember, if your hand slap has left a mark that lasts for more than a minute or two then you have slapped that child too hard.’
Member @Ian1: ‘My late parents raised us with firm physical punishment (by both smacking and the cane) if we misbehaved. It taught us what boundaries are, and we loved them dearly nonetheless. Also, we were given “six of the best” at school, which was a significant deterrent. There has certainly been a shift in ground-level punishment since we were kids in the 50’s and 60’s, and I believe these deterrents should be reinstated. We were taught RIGHT from WRONG.’
‘As for grandparents dishing out punishment, I’m not in favour, as they are not their kids. The grandparents were most likely raised without being interfered with by their grandparents. The discipline of children should begin with their natural parents or guardians. The most input the grandparents should have, beyond having their own house rules, is to report the kids’ errant behaviour for the parents to deal with appropriately.’
Against:
Member @Isis: What a conundrum. In the 40’s, a lot of children, including me, knew that do wrong, you get smacked. I was more than smacked, I was hit with a leather belt, my hiding place dads dogs kennel with the dog in front of me, he wouldn’t hit the dog.’
‘I was like most mums then the one in charge, yes my children were spanked. Always told you do this, I do this. Your choice, not mine.’
‘Now for the turnabout. Leaving a job I trained in my 50’s to work in childcare, over 12 years I had the best time both playing with teaching and loving these children, we couldn’t even say NO, I learned to express myself in many different ways. Eg, “I don’t like that.”
So there it is, discipline, yes. Find their currency and use it. Smacking not so much.’
Member @Suzanne rose: ‘When you look at bullies, you will find they are how they are because of the abuse they are copping from their parents and guardians.’
Member @lea61: ‘I did smack my children because that was what we did, but I would never lay a hand on my grandchildren I have learnt there are better ways to discipline a child. Plus my grandsons, all 7 of them, are like their grandma PERRRFECTTT
’Alternatives to smacking:
Don’t want to resort to smacking but need a discipline method? Our wonderful members have provided some suggestions below:
Member @Suzanne rose: ‘I've always done punishments by removing a much-loved item for a certain time, this included video games. My other punishment was time out and if my eldest 2 sons would fight then I would make them hug for a few minutes and sing “we are the very best brothers”.’
Member @Sylvsptr: ‘The tone of your voice should be enough. My Dad just had to give us the look, and that was enough.’
We did warn you that it was a contentious one!
Want to read more? We’ve previously shared an article explaining the research behind smacking. Experts were able to discover whether or not smacking is harmful to children. You can read more here.
We’ll keep Your Say Sunday as a regular instalment, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled each week, and don’t forget to have your say!
.png){kind=icon}
