# Spare Not the Rod?

**URL:** <https://forums.crosswalk.com/t/spare-not-the-rod/2353>\
**Category:** Parenting\
**Tags:** featured\
**Created:** [September 1, 2024, 2:19pm UTC](https://forums.crosswalk.com/t/spare-not-the-rod/2353 "2024-09-01T14:19:12Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Fritzpw\_Admin](https://forums.crosswalk.com/user_avatar/forums.crosswalk.com/fritzpw_admin/32/250_2.png) [@Fritzpw\_Admin](https://forums.crosswalk.com/u/Fritzpw_Admin)\
**Post date:** [September 1, 2024, 2:19pm UTC](https://forums.crosswalk.com/t/spare-not-the-rod/2353/1 "2024-09-01T14:19:12Z")

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Is spanking your children still an acceptable form of discipline?

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**Author:** ![WrenFaithBridger](https://forums.crosswalk.com/user_avatar/forums.crosswalk.com/wrenfaithbridger/32/254_2.png) [@WrenFaithBridger](https://forums.crosswalk.com/u/WrenFaithBridger)\
**Post date:** [September 2, 2024, 2:50pm UTC](https://forums.crosswalk.com/t/spare-not-the-rod/2353/2 "2024-09-02T14:50:47Z")

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I am of the firm opinion that one single spank - bare hand on bare bottom - is an acceptable form of discipline. No more than one thwack, ONLY on the bottom, and no using any tools like belts of sandals. It gets the point across, the parent feels it, too, and it’s not excessive.

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**Author:** ![wantthetruth](https://forums.crosswalk.com/user_avatar/forums.crosswalk.com/wantthetruth/32/3213_2.png) [@wantthetruth](https://forums.crosswalk.com/u/wantthetruth)\
**Post date:** [September 1, 2025, 7:47pm UTC](https://forums.crosswalk.com/t/spare-not-the-rod/2353/3 "2025-09-01T19:47:32Z")

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no. no positive results from it. made me resent my parents.

“rod” apparently refers to herding sheep, and in my opinion doesnt refer to actual spanking.

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**Author:** ![Surobbins](https://forums.crosswalk.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/f0a364/32.png) [@Surobbins](https://forums.crosswalk.com/u/Surobbins)\
**Post date:** [September 28, 2026, 2:28pm UTC](https://forums.crosswalk.com/t/spare-not-the-rod/2353/4 "2026-09-28T14:28:36Z")

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Yes. I was spanked as a kid, I spanked my son and I spank my grand nephew who I am helping to raise. You will hear people say that the “rod” doesn’t refer to corporal punishment. It doesn’t always, but Proverbs 23:13-14 isn’t very ambiguous.

But basically I believe in spanking because of my upbringing. I believed in it before I became a Christian and if I ever decided I was wrong about religion I would still believe in spanking.

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**Author:** ![timf](https://forums.crosswalk.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/t/7cd45c/32.png) [@timf](https://forums.crosswalk.com/u/timf)\
**Post date:** [September 28, 2026, 9:19pm UTC](https://forums.crosswalk.com/t/spare-not-the-rod/2353/5 "2026-09-28T21:19:59Z")

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Pro\_22:15 Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

All children are born helpless, ignorant, and selfish. Without learning self-discipline, a child can grown to have a painful life. The objective of external discipline is to develop internal discipline.

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**Author:** ![BobEstey](https://forums.crosswalk.com/user_avatar/forums.crosswalk.com/bobestey/32/1650_2.png) [@BobEstey](https://forums.crosswalk.com/u/BobEstey)\
**Post date:** [September 28, 2026, 9:50pm UTC](https://forums.crosswalk.com/t/spare-not-the-rod/2353/6 "2026-09-28T21:50:22Z")

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That depends on who you are listening to.

The world might tell you, "Don’t spank your child! "

The Bible tells you:

He who spares the rod hates his son,  
but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him. Proverbs 13:24 RSV

If you want my opinion, go with the Bible.

1.