Should We Spank Our Children?

Photo courtesy Swedish Institute

Spare the rod, spoil the child. Remember that saying?

It seems a growing number of countries around the world prohibit the corporal punishment of children.

At last count--according to the Swedish Institute--43 nations have now made it illegal. It says people in 194 countries think spanking a child is wrong. Thirty-five years ago, Sweden became the first country to prohibit spanking.

SI reports that 90 percent of the world's kids live in countries where physical violence against them is allowed.

While most of us would agree that children should not suffer physical abuse, what about spanking?

Christians and Jews may prefer to follow the wisdom of the Book of Proverbs:

Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.
--Proverbs 13:24

Good advice, or an antiquated practice that should no longer apply in 2014?

What do you think?

Watch the Swedish Institute video below: