Is it right for a parent to smack their child when said child is being naughty

[Ben Attwood]

Im not a parent, but i have parents and we were talking and we got into a heated debate about this subject. So i thought you guys and me can try and find an answer. DFTBA

[CD]

yes indeedy

[Amanda Rue]

It truly depends. A tap on the bottom is fine. That isn't going to scar a child and neither is a pinch to the arm or ear or something, but I full blown smack to the point that the child turns red and is in pain is not okay. There is a difference between learning your lesson through a short small burst of pain, and fear of your parent because they harmed you.

[Hutch Hogan]

But why would you use violence, even light violence to educate children in terms of morality or safety.  This seems directly contradictory. 

[Vertigo_One [Ops Mod]]

Because the children may not be listening. A small amount of violence is sometimes nessecary to make the child listen.

[Hutch Hogan]

Absolutely under no circumstances should parents use violence as a means of discipline.  

http://www.cdc.gov/ace/

These studies report that as few as 1 adverse childhood experience, in terms of a physical, verbal or emotional abuse increases likelihood of alcohol abuse, substance abuse, impairs longterm memory and more. 

The simple answer is that harming a child does not teach a child right from wrong, it teaches a child to fear its parents and that violence is a viable answer. 

[Vertigo_One [Ops Mod]]

Not all violent punishments are abusive childhood experiences. You are oversimplifying.