Is it right to spank a child?

“Beating does not make any sense since children emulate what happens around them. They should not be blamed or punished for that matter because some adults do not know how to behave around children. Spanking them is unnecessary; verbal communication works better.”Abdul Karim, Instructor at Maisha Kigali Serena Hotel“A child’s upbringing has serious effects on his/her behaviour. Beating them is only going to make things worse. They will never learn how to solve a problem if they live in constant fear of being beaten.” Angel Mutoniwase, Kicukiro Resident“Parents have the right to discipline their children any way they see fit; however, beating is a bit extreme. Sit a child down and talk to them. Let them know that what they did was wrong and that there are consequences for such actions. Talk as calmly as you can and you will be surprised how kids open up to simple measures like talking.”Noam Noamika“The way you raise children, is exactly the way they will grow up. If you do not learn to talk to them in a civilized manner, they will never learn. The brutality of beating will just make them more and more insubordinate.” Genevieve Benurugo, Pediatrician CHUK.“It is so much better to sit a child down and talk to him or her. Some of them make mistakes unknowingly therefore it would be totally inhumane to physically punish someone for doing something they are not aware is wrong.”Rachael Mukandutiye, Kicukiro Resident“The more you beat a child, the more he/she gets used to it. They look at it as the same old routine and whatever prior fear it imposed will quickly vanish. Sometimes talking to them can turn out to be scarier than beating because they eventually get used to the beating.”Clemantine Barada“Corporal punishments such as beating have never been the answer to installing discipline in a child. Kids get used to beating therefore it is not as effective as some parents’ think it is.”Kevin Gatarayiha, pupil at Rubilizi Primary School