To spank, or not to spank, that is the question—not “to beat, or not to beat,” which is not the question.  Well, it’s not a question I am asking, but it is a question many parents debate—and all too often, those who aren’t parents.  Many on the anti-spanking side disavow spanking on the grounds that “violence begets violence.”  After all, how can you teach a child not to hit when you are hitting him/her?  Doesn’t that send mixed messages?  Dennis Prager has some wise words to respond to this objection:

“Violence breeds violence.”  Some cliches are true; I find this one meaningless. The truth is the opposite: Immoral violence breeds violence; moral violence (such as just wars, police work and appropriate parental discipline) reduces violence.

I couldn’t agree more.  This doesn’t mean one has to use corporal punishment on their children, but it does mean doing so will not breed immoral violence.  Physical force often stops or prevents further immoral violence.