Teaching good behavior involves explaining and reasoning, establishing rules and consequences, being good models ourselves, and praising good behavior in children. Such methods help develop a child's conscience and control. They help a child become a self-disciplined adult. Spanking is deeply rooted in the history and culture of our nation as well as in our own personal experiences. One of roots of corporal punishment is religious.
Some people point to the Bible as supporting, even requiring physical punishment.
A number of popular voices take a different view, often quoting Old Testament scriptures to prove their point. Those who subscribe to this argument misunderstand and misuse scripture. A similar method of selective reading could just as well be used to justify slavery, suppression of women, polygamy, incest and infanticide. The Handbook for Elementary Schools for the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland Ohio has the following position on corporal punishment. According to this survey, the parents who did the least spanking also used the least verbal abuse.