To spank or not to spank....that's the question.

This might be a very controversial topic because so many parents share differing views. Some say to never spank kids, its wrong and barbaric and really serves no purpose in the end. Others say it depends on the child. Some even say ....yes kids need to be spanked....it's biblical but they stop at the point of abuse. Abuse is never an option in any of the arguments listed out their for the discipline of children by sane, normal people. And if one does agree with the principle of spanking, at what age is should it be terminated?
I myself have entered countless debates on this issue and admittedly I tend to float between all of the above. When I was a child, my mother subscribed to the principle that if a child misbehaves, spank and spank with whatever is nearby. If the child is far away a projectile spanking is in order. This has been the principle of many older caribbean parents. In some cases, the expression a child is raised by a village also meant that a child is disciplined by the village. Of course to the child this was most unfair and unwarranted. But it usually kept the conscientious child out of trouble.
But lets look at the factors that affect whether a parent spanks or not:

The seriousness of the offense
This is self explanatory. Depending on how serious the offense and the age of the child, some parents believe a good licking is in order.

The Repeated Offense.
Just today I admit that I had to calm myself and not give my 6 year old a slap on the butt. Arielle comes home from school or church or anywhere for that matter and throws her clothes on the floor. And she doesn't stop there......everything goes on the floor. This happens every single evening as a rule. I mean every single evening. And it is most annoying. I sometimes wonder is she loves mess, well I should say I'm convinced she is the messiest child in the world.

The Mood of the parent.
This is so true. Usually if I'm in a good mood. I let things slide a bit more. As they say..."Don't sweat the small stuff." My daughter usually recognizes I'm a good mood and it feels as if she is adamant to change it. But usually when I'm in a good mood I am better able to let her off on the hook on the small stuff. which brings me to the next factor.

The Stress Level of the parent.
Being a single parent is not an easy thing especially when it comes to raising kids. Sometimes even when you are married and you don't have the support of your spouse, or they are never at home to help you, is very stressful. I believe their is a reason why it takes two to make a child. God doesn't do anything by coincidence, there is always a master plan. In fact abuse among kids are very high among hard working, neglected single parents (both fathers and mothers).

The Culture of the Parent
How parents were raised, their beliefs and cultural frame of referencing in parenting is very much a factor on how they discipline their kids.