[rjy9343]

Where are the studies? Other than a couple of examples he named names, but not studies or studies, but no names. No dates, universities or other ways to look up the data for yourself. Who is funding this research? There is nothing about any of the studies he is citing other than his view of them. I found one study done in 1986 suggesting that the abuse rate was higher at that time than it had been. But it also suggested it was because parents did not know what to do, only what not to do. Something that is to be expected.
To say that twenty years ago parents did not know about the controversy with spanking is just not true. I am thirty four now, I remember spanking being debated then. (For the record, I was all for it being outlawed). He is simply recycling the same arguments. snide humor and hyperbolic predictions that we being used twenty years ago.
Why did they fail to mention the safety issue of spanking? There are three kids whose deaths have been tied to their methods. If spanking is so safe, isn't it on them to prove it's safety?
I noticed that after a passing dismissal of Sweden, he did not mention the other countries that have banned spanking. Anyone else wonder why? It is illegal to spank in Germany, Denmark, Sweden and the rest of Scandinavia and they have a much lower crime rate than the US. It is also illegal in other countries besides those, but I can't remember the crime rates or even names right now. But I do know that they are not dangerous lawless lands. By the way that study that proves that without spanking the Swedish resorted to abusing their children was done in 1986 and even the researchers thought it might be growing pains. Parents knew what not to do but not what to do and were frustrated.
The other thing is that the very few studies that have come saying spanked kids turn out okay all qualify with as long as the spankings themselves are not too severe, rare and the parents are consistent. And by very few, I only remember two of those studies coming out in the last five years or so. That may sound like a lot, but there have been more than that coming out saying spanking is a bad idea or that parents spank far more than they realize. It is late, but if anyone wants them, I will see if I can find those studies in the morning.
The question I keep asking about spanking and no one can answer is how is it that only experts who advocate spanking are the ones writing books on dealing with angry children and teens while those that are against it are not? Why do those who are not spanking not need that resource while those who do spank need it? I am not saying gently parented kids never get angry, but they do not seem to carry years of anger that has been building. Not one person who has told me to spank can tell me anything other than that is just what some kids and all teens do.