In 2018, The American Academy of Pediatrics updated their stand on corporal punishment (spanking or hitting as discipline), to say that spanking should be banned. There is growing evidence to show that spanking a child actually harms the development of a child’s brain. (https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/aap-press-room-media-center/Pages/AAP-Updates-Policy-on-Corporal-Punishment-.aspx (Links to an external site.))
Consider also that nearly 100% of violent criminals in jail today were spanked. For those of us not in prison, some were spanked and some weren’t. Doesn’t this imply that spanking is not something you learn from, it’s something you survive, it’s something you’ve managed?
Think of this analogy. If I told you that nearly a 80% of pet dogs that died early, ate a particular food. Those that didn’t die early—some ate that food and some didn’t. Would you feed your dog that food?
I have heard these statements:
“I was spanked as a child, and I will spank my child.”
“I was spanked as a child, but I will not spank my child.”
“I wasn’t spanked as a child, and I will not spank my child.”
But I have never once heard this statement: “I wasn’t spanked as a child, but I will spank my child.”
How often is spanking the result of a naturalistic fallacy? You spank only because you were spanked—not because it is the right thing to do.
Should you spank your children?
Here’s what I want you to do:
Write a paper of at least four short paragraphs (at least five sentences each) on:
What would a Utilitarian say about spanking? Is it the greatest good for the greatest number?
Remember that Utilitarianism is not just about hedonistic happiness. It’s about utility. It’s about the overall good, in all ways.
What would a Duty ethicist say about spanking? Consider Kant’s second formulation, that all human beings should be treated only as ends in themselves. Or, should this issue be determined by looking at nature or a religious text?
What would a Virtue Ethicist say? Consider Aristotle’s Golden Mean. Remember, your children’s character will be determined by how they react to you using or not using corporal punishment. What are you forcing them to deal with, and how does your spanking or not spanking your children reflect on your character?
Based on the arguments you outlined in 1-3, , what is your position? How do you defend your position in terms of consequences, duty, and/or character?
I would suggest an intro with a clear thesis, three body paragraphs on each of the three main theories, and then a conclusion where you say where you come down.
Remember–build your writing around, and talk about, the theories.
Please provide a citations page for sources cited (this will probably require a little research).