(Rogerian Argument Detailed Outline)

Is spanking children child abuse?

I. Introduction (Rogerian Step One)

- There is a fine line between spanking a child and abusing them. How do we determine where that line
is? Children have a right not to be spanked.
- Child abuse is defined as physical maltreatment or sexual molestation of a child. Parents have been
spanking children for years without realizing the adverse affects. We all know that child abuse leads to
behavioral and cognitive development in the future, but spanking also has been proven to have the same
affect as well
-Spanking children is not a good form of punishment because it is ineffective in the long term, but
others can argue that it is a good form of punishment because instilling a sense of fear in the child forces
them to behave and be respectful.
- Spanking is ineffective and it harms the childrens cognitive and behavioral development as they get
older
II. Opposition Perspective (Rogerian Step Two)
- Fear instills a form of respect which parents cannot gain without punishment
- Parents have a long history of spanking children and its necessary to teach children that certain
behaviors are unacceptable. I was spanked as a child and I turned out okay.
- If a child was repeatedly acting up, I would only spank the child as a last result. Reasoning with a
three year- old is not easy. Its easy for people to criticize parents who spank their children, but thats
because they dont have children.

III. Writer's Perspective (Rogerian Step Three)

- The author claims that spanking is unnecessary and it causes more problems than it aims to solve.
- In the moment, spanking stops the child from acting up and misbehaving, but it leads to less cognitive
development in the future.
- There has been an ongoing debate in the past few years as to whether spanking should be banned. I
think that it should be banned. I see my sisters get spanked occasionally and nothing good comes from it.
She still gets in trouble and repeats the same behavior.
- This view would be best received or accepted under the condition that cases of spanking leads to
abuse in the future.
- Not all cases of spanking leads to abuse or children who are spanked will become violent in the
future.

IV. Common Ground (Rogerian Step Four & Proposal)

- Parents can try reasoning and if necessary, raise their voice. Spanking should come as a last resort
only, but not often. Try different forms of punishment, for example time out or chores.

- Parents need to stop resorting to hitting their child when the misbehave. Just like in schools, teachers
cant hit students, parents should try not to as well
- Reward children from time to time when they are behaving. Speak to your child calmly when they
misbehave and explain why their actions are not allowed
- Both parents on the same page when it comes to parenting. Establishing a common ground between
the parent and the child.

V. Alternatives
(Are there other viable options as to resolution, beyond the common ground perspective or solution you
gave in IV above, and if so, what are they?)
I think that parents should test out different form of punishments because each child is different.

VI. Concluding Statements

- I think that parents will still continue to spank their children because they believe it is the correct way
to parent.
- If the U.S were to implement a ban on spanking, I dont think it would be effective.

VII. Works Cited

MacKenzie, Michael. "Spanking Hurts Kids in the Long Run, Too." CNN. Cable News Network, 22 Oct.
2013. Web. 12 May 2016.
Maguire-Jack, Kathryn, Andrea N. Gromoske, and Lawrence M. Berger. "Shibboleth Authentication
Request." Shibboleth Authentication Request. N.p., 3 Aug. 2012. Web. 12 May 2016.
Navarrette, Ruben. "Spanking Isn't Child Abuse; It's Common Sense." CNN. Cable News Network, 18
Sept. 2014. Web. 12 May 2016.