Should parents spare the spank?

For many spanking your child is essential to discipline, but for others it’s a tool that inflicts emotional and physical pain. Whether it’s using your hand, a switch or even a belt, more than 85 per cent of American adults were spanked by a parent. Corporal punishment in the home is legal across the US and is even permitted in schools in about 20 states. Although most research shows it has a negative psychological impact on the child, many parents still see it as a necessity. What do you think? Join us at 19:30 GMT.

In this episode of The Stream, we speak with:

Paul Thomas @plthomasEdD
Associate Professor, Furman University

Asadah Kirkland @asadah
Author, “Beating Black Kids”
radicalscholarship.wordpress.com

LaShaun Williams @thesoutherness
Writer and parenting expert
thesoutherness.com

Robert Larzelere
Professor, Oklahoma State University
humansciences.okstate.edu

What do you think? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.