The Case Against Spanking: How to Discipline Your Child Without Hitting

My parents used corporal punishment. Because of this, I vowed never to spank my children. I didn't know how to discipline, though - what to do IN PLACE of spanking. My daughter is now almost 30 and the mother of my beautiful 3 year old granddaughter. My daughter graduated from college, was an honor student praised by all her teachers throughout school, she never got into trouble the law, or misbehaved beyond giving me a bit of "normal teenage attitude". And she wasn't spanked! My son is 21, mentally handicapped, a well behaved, loving adult with a great sense of humor. Spanking is useless with a special needs child. To the reviewer between 8 & 13 who wrote "it's ridiculous not to spank", my heart breaks for you. You're being lied to if someone has told you that spanking is necessary. The author doesn't suggest that parents NOT discipline their children. What he HAS written is that there are other methods of discipline besides spanking. And, BTW, the author has an advanced education and clinical studies to support his work. Bryan's wife

I have to say that this book is very well written. I feel that everyone should read this book, although I know some would probably never even consider reading a book like this. I didn't believe in spankings before I read this book, but now I don't feel so left out. Everyone I know spanks their kids and I am the "odd ball". I get criticized alot, but this book has made me feel alot better about who I am as a parent and a person. The author did a good job explaining why he believes the way he does and I have to give him credit. He is very intelligent and brave.

I love this book it is teaching parents not to spank their kids. I mean pick on someone your own size. beating up on little people means your a real coward. Children have rights to they are human beings. I don't care what the bible says.

Chapter 1 An Alien Point of View (on spanking)Chapter 2 Abuse or Discipline?Chapter 3 Why We Hit and What It Does to KidsChapter 4 Back to Basics: What You Need to Know About Effective DisciplineChapter 5 Changing Your Appproach to DisciplineChapter 6 Rewards and PunishmentsChapter 7 Anger and ResentmentChapter 8 Using Therapeutic TechniquesChapter 9 What We Need to Do NextSome of the topics discussed in this book:Discipline, Punishment, and Corporal PunishmentWhy Ads Become AggressiveWhat Spanking Does to KidsFamily FactorsWhat Is Your Orientation to Discipline?The Dos and Don'ts of PreventionDiagnose the Causes of MisbehaviorHow to Set Up a Reward SystemDos and Don'ts for the Effective Use of TimeoutsHow to Run a Family Council/Meeting8 Steps to Anger ControlHow to Produce Hostile ChildrenHow to Defuse Your Child's AngerWhat Not to Do When Your Child Blows Up7 Essential Qualities of Effective PsychotherapyUnderstanding and Avoiding Emotional MaltreatmentTeaching Your Child to Think and Act Rationally and Appropriately

True, Hyman proceeds with his book without really considering at any great depth, the possible virtues of spanking. Perhaps that is because the arguments in favor of spanking are so shallow: parents should be able to do as they please with their kids, or the Bible says it's OK. Hyman's evidence against spanking is admittedly mostly anecdotal. That's because there is very little else out there. He banks heavily on the common-sense and proven principle that if parents want their kids to treat others well, then parents should treat others well. If a parent tells his kid not to hit others, then hits (spanks) his kid, what is the child to think? To Hyman, and to even the most casual observer of human nature, actions are louder than words.