To Spank Or Not To Spank [Paperback]

John Rosemond (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 13, 1994

The nationally syndicated columnist and childrearing expert presents a thought-provoking study of child-directed discipline, offering a straightforward, common-sense approach to the issue of discipline, parental authority, and self-esteem.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John Rosemond is a family psychologist, author of ten parenting best-sellers, and a syndicated columnist appearing weekly in more than 200 American newspapers. He is the executive director of the Center for Affirmative Parenting in Gastonia, N.C. His credentials include a 37-year marriage, two happily married children, and six well-behaved grandchildren.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing; Original edition (October 13, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0836228138
• ISBN-13: 978-0836228137
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #883,413 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

John Rosemond is a family psychologist who has both directed mental health programs and been in full-time private practice working with families and children. Since 1990, he has devoted his time to speaking and writing. John's weekly syndicated parenting column now appears in some 250 newspapers. Along the way, he's also managed to write eleven bestselling books on parenting and the family. As if that wasn't enough, he is one of the busiest and most popular speakers in his field, giving over 200 talks a year to parent and professional groups nationwide. He and his wife of 39 years, Willie, have two grown children and six well-behaved grandchildren.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Read Before Forming An Opinion, May 19, 2009

By 

H. Zuniga (Reno, NV) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: To Spank Or Not To Spank (Paperback)

Did any of these reviewers actually read this book? Or did they just go from page to page, screaming as their carefully cultivated sensibilities were challenged? It appears that they did, since their comments are word for word the same as those used by numerous so-called experts who continually tout their beliefs based on little or no data and would have us believe that their opinions are facts. This book does not advocate spanking. If you do not believe in spanking, then this book will not convince you otherwise. Unlike anti-spanking advocates who do all they can to shove their opinions down everyone's throat, Rosemond is not trying to convince anyone to spank. This book is for people who already believe in spanking or who are undecided. And, strange as it sounds, this book can actually prevent child abuse as Rosemond provides guidelines for administering a spanking so as to make it effective, as well as advice on how to raise a well behaved child using a variety of forms of discipline. He constantly reminds the reader that a spanking should be short (one or two swats at the most), should not be administered with the intention of causing pain, should only be given with a hand and never a foreign object (belt, switch, etc.), should never be given on bare skin, and numerous other restrictions. He even objects to the common practice of slapping a child's hand! Does this sound like a person advocating child abuse? The method advocated here is a quick spanking used to get a child's attention, but Rosemond clearly states that the action of spanking should NOT be the punishment. People who use spanking as a punishment are more likely to cross the line from discipline to abuse. Studies have shown that parents who do not use corporal punishment are more likely to explode at a child and cause real harm. Rosemond probably knows what he's talking about as part of his career involved counseling parents whose children were taken away due to abuse. This book is to help people keep control of their kids from day one, and not lose control of the child(ren) and themselves and possibly do something they will regret later. If you do not spank, don't feel threatened, for Rosemond will not try to convince you to do so. If you do spank, this book is an excellent way to ensure that your child will get the maximum benefit from it, as well as giving numerous other disciplinary methods to ensure a well-behaved child that people like to have around. In short, read the book with an open mind. You might be surprised to find advice that you can take home.

22 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Do you want to be your child's friend or his parent, April 6, 2006

By 

Nolan K "Avid Reader" (Ball Ground, Georgia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: To Spank Or Not To Spank (Paperback)

I have to believe that the negative reviews of this book are by people that have an agenda or have not read this book.

Rosemond makes very clear the difference between HITTING and SPANKING. And he states there are other more effect ways to disipline a child.

He further says that a steady diet of spankings are not productive. But that an occasional pop on the rear end is effective in getting the child's attention so that you can communicate your message to the child, and that spanking alone will accomplish nothing.

16 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Useful information, January 24, 2007

By 

K. Wells "wrkfish" (Raleigh, NC United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: To Spank Or Not To Spank (Paperback)

I believe this book has useful information. Whether you decide to spank or not spank, just make an informed decision. This is just one of many resources I checked before my husband and I made a choice. All parents should make that informed choice, and the parenting team, should be in agreement. I know this got both good and bad reviews. I guess it's just a matter of whether you agree with the author or not. Whether I agree or not doesn't matter, the book still has useful information that should be read by all parents.