Spanking in the USA: A sad state of affairs and why spanking is never ok. - Child Psychology and Parenting Blog: Child-Psych.org

In the background, Dr. Phil is replaying the video of the Texas judge beating his child.  I want to direct you to an editorial from Nestor Lopez Duran:

Spanking in the USA: A sad state of affairs and why spanking is never ok. - Child Psychology and Parenting Blog: Child-Psych.org.

Yes, the American Academy of Pediatrics unequivocally recommends against the use of aggression as a discipline method. Why? Because the research on physical punishment is clear: it is unnecessary and is associated with a long list of NEGATIVE consequences. For example, although proponents of “spanking” argue that if you don’t spank, the child will not learn to behave properly, the research actually suggests the opposite.

Comments

[Chris]

Just last weekend the Skeptic's Guide to the Universe had a Science or Fiction bit that is related to this. It turned to be "science" that kids who get punitive punishment in school more learn to lie:
http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-10-harsh-discipline-fosters-dishonesty-young.html

[MMead]

In light of Judge Adams video,

We often hear from those who fight to uphold this practice for those under the age of 18 (even to the blaming of the social maladies of the day on a supposed "lack" of it), but we rarely, if ever, find advocates for the return of corporal punishment to the general adult community, college campuses, inmate population, or military. Why is that?

Ask ten unyielding proponents of child/adolescent/teenage-only "spanking" about the "right" way to do it, and what would be abusive, indecent, or obscene, and you will get ten different answers.

These proponents should consider making their own video-recording of the "right way" to do it.

Visit Unlimited Justice or Parents and Teachers Against Violence in Education to learn more and add your voice.

[Luke Scientiae]

Beating kids is ineffective, quite apart from it being immoral as well.

Religion promotes it. Which is how you get things like the following, inspired by people telling others what the "right" way to do it is.

http://www.lukesci.com/2011/08/20/girl-7-beaten-to-death-by-christian-parents/

I live in Sweden, where hitting children was outlawed decades ago. The country has not spiralled into moral chaos after having a whole generation of kids grow up without having been beaten. In fact, Sweden ranks amongst the best countries to live in in almost all indicators of life quality.

The position that it's ok to beat children is morally and intellectually bankrupt.