Although a majority of our readers don't think childhood spanking causes mental illness in adulthood, many of them noted that the topic is more complex than a simple "Yes" and "No" survey.
Nearly 60% of the more than 2,500 voters in last week's 番茄社区 survey said that spanking does not have a lasting negative effect. However, our use of the term "corporal punishment" drew some ire.
"Surveys need measurable questions. What does 'other corporal punishment' mean exactly?" asked a nurse.
Another responder said there is a "difference between a spanking and a beating, i.e., corporal punishment," which hinges on the "parents' emotional frame of mind at the time of the punishment."
This reader said that the parental verbal abuse used in between bouts of corporal punishment is the causative factor for mental instability in adulthood.
"Parents, teachers, and any other adults in authority still don't realize it is not only what you say but how you say something that can also cause a lot of damage to a child's emotional sense of self-worth," he concluded.
But an "occasional targeted" spanking as a last resort "makes the possibility of a spanking an excellent disciplinary tool," said one reader whose sentiment echoed others. And a handful of readers testified that the spanking they received as kids has not resulted in them downing medications for depression and anxiety.
Although 番茄社区 didn't define "corporal punishment" in its survey question, there were several readers who defined it for us. One in particular said that the abuse suffered by some children at the hands of their parents goes "way beyond a smack on the behind."
This reader mentioned "whips that leave scars, belt buckles, being thrown against walls, tossed down stairs, kicked vigorously, and far, far worse."
The people who voted no, she said, "are talking about the minor stuff -- and I am surprised that such a high percentage of MedPage survey responders are apparently not aware of the mental health implications of severe corporal punishment."
What if the spanking doesn't work? You want it to have a lasting effect, noted some readers. You want the child to remember that he or she will be punished for doing wrong.
And when the occasional spanking doesn't work, does that lead to more spanking and then to more severe punishments? That was the concern of some readers. If we allow mild physical punishment, are we opening the door to abuse?
There are indeed shades of gray in this topic. Some commenters noted that there is an appropriate use of spanking that society has lost sight of.
"Spanking is a severe consequence for a severe behavior; it is not to be used for mild infractions, even repeated ones," said one reader. And the punishment should be accompanied by a clear and loving explanation of why the child is being punished.
It should not be done in haste or when parents are in emotional turmoil, was the sentiment of several comments.
One reader said spanking cannot be "administered with love." Why not find other ways to discipline children?, the reader said, pointing out that libraries contain many child-rearing books with alternative disciplinary approaches.
Could it be that those who spank their children or inflict worse physical punishment are themselves mentally ill? And the fact that mental illness tends to run in families could be the reason why these children have mental problems as adults, suggested one commenter.
But what do parents get out of spanking? One reader, a foster parent, said that foster parents are not allowed to use physical punishment. From the many parenting books he read, he remembered this bit of sage advice about spanking: "The first swat is for the child, the rest are for the parent."