Spare the rod, spoil the child

[Napoléon]

If the only thing you've gotten out of the comments here from those of us who have occasionally spanked our children is "the only thing [we] know is spanking", I'd suggest a closer rereading.

Keep telling yourself that.

Also, the idea that "the reasons shouldn't even need to be disucssed" is interesting. It strikes me as a subtle attempt to insult the intelligence of those who disagree with you.

I didn't mean to be subtle. I am insulting your intelligence.

Here, here's a post I made on another forum about one time I used force with my son:

It is one option, not the only option, not the ultimate option. It depends very much on the child and what they value; it also depends on the urgency of the situation. I smacked my son's hand when he was four years old and reaching for a pan full of hot bacon greasse, because my smack was going to be much more forgiving than second-degree burns -- and taking the time to talk it out wasn't really an option.

Broad brushes aren't very useful for detail work, of course. But remember, the details are what make people behave as they do.

Wow. How is this the same as using spanking as discipline? This is a situation where if you don't do something your child is going to severely injure themself, obviously slapping your kids hand in this instance is ok. Are you fucking stupid? Do you seriously think I wouldn't do the same if my kid were going to burn his hand?

Fuck me. Do you need me to insult your intelligence any more? Man. I actually cannot comprehend this level of stupidity. If you can't work out the difference between this situation and using spanking for actual discipline, then you are literally too stupid to insult.

Let me change your scenario. I saw a child on the street about to be run over. I had to rugby tackle him to save him from being killed as a lorry was driving at him. Is it okay to use force in this instance? Ofcourse it is. Is it okay to use force to explain to a child why it's not smart to play in the street? NO.