The Case Against Spanking: How to Discipline Your Child Without Hitting
These books examine child discipline, with spanking presented as an effective or ineffective method (depending on the viewpoint). A father and a family therapist for 30 years, Hyman (psychology, Temple Univ.) bases his discipline models on research and clinical observations. He offers parents a number of alternative strategies to physical punishment, including understanding child psychology, systemetizing rewards and punishments, and defusing anger in both parent and child. In contrast, Pritchett, a mother and stepmother, offers a discipline plan based on spanking as the only effective deterrent in training children to be obedient and well behaved. Her book begins with a description of spanking (two to five hard whacks on the bottom with a paddle followed by loving admonition). Spanking is deemed the appropriate parental response to all children for breaking family or house rules, defiance, lying, cheating, stealing, bad language, and any form of disrespect or disobedience. Pritchett cites the Bible as her reference. Hyman is a good addition to most public library parenting collections, but while one would like to present an opposing viewpoint, Pritchett, whose advice is neither comprehensive nor based on current research, cannot be recommended.?Kay L. Brodie, Chesapeake Coll., Wye Mills., Md.Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.