“Yes, OK. Abuse is bad. But now I wanted to know: What about spanking? According to a 2011 study, more than half of all American parents spank their toddlers; some studies have put the number closer to 60 percent. But the American Academy of Pediatrics opposes it, and the practice is illegal in 32 countries, including Spain, Israel, and all of Scandinavia. So what’s the deal — are slaps on the tush OK if your children deserve it, or will it screw them up for life? After digging into the literature on the topic and talking to a handful of experts, my best shot at a conclusion is this: It depends.” w/ photos
