Okey Chigbo

In the following viewpoint, Okey Chigbo argues that spanking is not child abuse, and parents should not be afraid to discipline their children with an occasional spank. Moreover, Chigbo claims, arguments that spanking contributes to anti-social behavior and societal violence are not supported by evidence. According to the author, most parents do not like to spank their children, but under some circumstances spanking is the only disciplinary tool that works. Okey Chigbo is an editor for camagazine.com, a Canadian financial publication.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. Why is Chigbo not comforted by claims that minor breaches of antispanking laws will not be prosecuted"
2. What conclusion does Chigbo draw from statistics on violent crime in the United States between 1985 and 1993"
3. What does the author claim antispankers forget concerning authority figures in our society...