I read, with some concern, an oped piece by LaShaun Williams in The New York Times. Ms. Williams makes the case that spanking is a black cultural thing. “Indeed,” she states, “spanking is as much a part of popular black culture as fried chicken and Kool-Aid.” Ms. Williams points out that research shows that black children are more often spanked than are their white counterparts and yet, “black males still lag in academic achievement and dominate prison populations, and black females lead in abortion numbers and have almost three-fourths of their children out of wedlock.” While, this may lead some to the conclusion that spanking is simply not working, Ms. Williams takes another view, believing that black parents have little tolerance for back talking and public disobedience than their white counterparts.

In my experience, I have seen children of many races, creeds and colors raised as obedient, well-rounded children without the need for corporal punishment. On the other hand, I have also known many parents that do use spanking as an occasional punishment.

The real point is that any parent’s goal should be to raise children that are respectful. I have spanked my children on occasion, but now realize that their are many more effective ways to encourage obedience and respect. Unfortunately, there are too many parents today who are overwhelmed when it comes to discipline and often take an easier route by ignoring the problem.