Physical Discipline in Parenting: Help or Harm?

A few weeks ago we talked about the different parenting styles we have and their implications during one of this year's Sunday school sessions in the church, and I must say that it was an eye-opener and an avenue to learn and decide on what we want to do as parents, including the need to have a change of heart and become better parents that are not just disciplinarians but also understanding and loving parents. We all can see that most kids no longer have fear or respect for their parents or elders, and this, we must say, is a threat to the future of humans if nothing is done about it. But what is my take on physical discipline?

I'm a Christian, and one thing the Bible, which I believe is one of the best books to not only learn to be spiritually in right standing with God but also to do, is teach us to live a morally upright lifestyle, and these teachings cut across different spheres of life, including parenting and how we should raise our kids the right way; how parents should be held responsible for not raising their kids well; and how we shouldn't spare the rod when dealing with children, else we'll give room for them to become spoilt brats who can't be tamed or corrected.

Among the parenting styles we were taught was the permissive style of parents, who let their kids do anything they like and want without the parents putting any restraint on their demands or bad habits; another is the authoritarian style of parenting, where parents are strict and want absolute obedience from their children. They are core disciplinarians who sometimes act like they don't love their kids due to how strict they are. Authoritative parents, on the other hand, are parents who are understanding and, at the same time, disciplined. They love their kids and give room for discussion. Basically they're loving, the best style of parenting in my opinion.

Personally, I don't buy the ideal of not going physical with discipline towards our children. Although it shouldn't be regular or all the time, we must be understanding and relate with them and help them understand the consequences of their actions, what they ought to do and what isn't right. Authoritative parenting styles, where we do everything in moderation, are the best way to go. Physical and verbal discipline is the best approach, especially when done in love.As a teacher, I've seen the rise in indiscipline among students and children around the school, and this is as a result of the ban placed on physical discipline. Gone are the days when children were afraid of offending their parents and teachers; nowadays, that's no longer the case. And if that continues, the future will be filled with decades of children without manners, moral upbringing and respect for adults.

That's about it on my take on physical discipline, whether it's something I'd do or not and the reason behind my opinion.

All photos are mine.