(September 22, 2011 at 10:29 pm)Epimethean Wrote: Dunno, Shell. I am a first generation American from an old world Hungarian family, and I received a few beatings in my childhood at the hands of my father. Every time, I think it was the most logical consequence for what amounted to pretty egregious behavior. The implements ranged from an open hand, to a paddle, to a belt, to a switch. These things got me right back in line, and I don't bear my father any ill-will for handling me roughly when I was way out of line.
I was also paddled once in junior high, by the assistant principal. That was just weird.
I got spankings and whoopings too. My experience was that it made me act out even more. I eventually became a pain in the ass teenager and left home when I was 16. My point is that the outcome for different children is different, but it really is possible to punish a kid without hitting them. You just have to know what your kids like most in the world and how to take it away for the right amount of time. My stepson hates being in his room for some reason. Social creature that he is, he will not spend time in his room. He will take his toys out of his room and go to wherever there are people. So, when he is bad, he stays in his room. He freaking hates it and always apologizes. He's not perfect, but I get roughly the same result a spanking would get, without the self-disgust I think I would feel.
I was never hit by a teacher. I think my parents would have lost it, despite their methods of punishment. I think I would have hit back too. I was an extremely headstrong child. I regret being such a dick, in fact. Regret or no, I am relatively positive I would have hit my teacher if he or she hit me.
