Several events lead up to “SpankOut Day” in Grand Rapids.  They include speakers and panel discussions with local anti-spanking advocates talking about their version of peaceful parenting.  However, Brad Snavely with the Michigan Family Forum says while we should safeguard against child abuse, corporal punishment has its place.

“Parents should be in healthy authority over their children. And so while it’s good to try to find ways uh to do that short of corporal punishment, for some parents this can be a very loving, effective way uh to discipline their child.       

Daniel Huerta, a social worker at Focus on the Family, says corporal punishment should be administered carefully and intentionally by a loving parent who has his or her emotions in check.

“It’s the parent that has a lot of compassion, understanding and is self-controlled, and wants to teach a child how to behave differently.         

Dr. James Dobson recommends administering spankings with a neutral object, such as a switch, in order that the parent’s hand may remain an instrument of affection. Joe Taylor pastors a church in Reno, Nevada and points out the Bible speaks to the value of spanking.

“If you really are not going to discipline your children, then the Bible indicates really it’s it’s a sign of hatred to the child.” 

Taylor is referring to Proverbs 13:24 which reads “He that spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.