Whether you’re a celebrity or not, when it comes to discipline every parent has their own method of what works best for their household. When spanking is involved, many choose to stay mum on the controversial subject.
While feelings or positions change over time, these famous faces have taken a pro-spanking approach at some point in their parenting journey.
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1. Kelly Clarkson – The American Idol alum said she finds nothing wrong with spanking her daughter, River Rose, when it’s needed, but admits that she does warn her daughter before it takes place and that she doesn’t hit her hard. The singer told 98.9 The Buzz, “My parents spanked me, and I did fine in life, and I feel fine about it, but I do that as well…”
2. Solange Knowles – In an interview with The Young Black and Fabulous Solange gave the mag her take on how she disciplines her son, Daniel. “If he gets completely out of line, I do the 3 steps. 1 is the look and talk; 2 is taking away something of value to him; 3, you need your butt popped. You don’t have to do it often, like twice or three times a year. And he remembers it.”
3. Tichina Arnold – The Martin actress posted a lengthy exposé about the subject of spanking entitled, “Why can’t we spank our kids?” In Arnold’s words, “I’ve got to be brutally honest here. I think it’s a shame that law enforcement can get away with beating your children and we as parents; CAN’T!… I do realize some people do things because they were abused and beaten. It is a vicious cycle. Where is that careful balance of love and chastisement?”
4. Pink – The vocal singer spoke out about spanking back in 2010, before she had her daughter, Willow. “I think the whole spanking thing and how it’s gotten all PC (politically correct) is for the birds. She says this style of discipline is what helped her through her rebellious years.
5. Nick Cannon – During an interview with US Weekly, Cannon said that he was prepared to spank his twins, Monroe and Moroccan, if they got out of line. He also told TMZ, about his approach compared to his ex-wife, Mariah Carey, “she doesn’t need to [spank], that’s what daddies are for. Spare the rod, spoil the child.”
6. Kate Gosselin – When In Touch magazine published photos of the mom of eight spanking her daughter, Leah, people, on both sides of the debate, weighed in their very strong opinions. Gosselin released a statement to Life & Style magazine. “Whether the paparazzi are there or not, I am a mother first. I love my children and when they misbehave, I discipline them as I deem appropriate for the situation.”
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7. Nia Long – In an interview with BET the topic of spanking came up and the Single Moms Club star shared her thoughts. “My younger one, he’s only 2 so I try to talk to him, but the older one, he gets it.”
8. Martin Sheen – In a 2002 interview with TV Guide, the veteran actor and his son, Charlie Sheen, spoke candidly about their father/son relationship and Sheen admitted, “I got hit twice: just a spank on the bottom. So what?”
9. Shaunie O’ Neal – While Basketball Wives star Shaunie O’Neal says that ex-husband, Shaquille O’Neal, doesn’t spank their kids, she does. “I just firmly believe in instilling some sort of fear of mommy getting pissed,” the mom tells Momlogic.
Related: Celebrities Who Don’t Spank Their Kids
10. Florence Henderson – TV’s favorite mom and Brady Bunch alum, Florence Henderson, once spoke to Pop Candies TV and revealed that she spanked her four kids on the behind. In an interview with Tinseltown Mom the late actress also said, “I admit that I have given my children a few taps on their tush. However, I think there are far better ways to handle a problem.”
Jason says
We need to spank our kids
Jorge says
I think I have to disagree with you
E says
Lol! I’m sure you were handed everything and your parents ignored the wrong you did and you now allow your kids to get away with bullying etc
Luca says
I’m sure that’s the only thing you can think of when someone offers nonviolent ways to guide children, makes you think about the covert sexual humiliation tactics of the past and how exactly they caused chemical brain damage (no joke) in those that defend violence against children.
Seriously, does no one read pediatric physiology or child brain development before having kids? Do yourselves a favor and read up on the successes of the Montessori model for education and mental health.
Amy says
Do you read about Psychology, or read at all? By the way you spelled Psychology it makes me wonder.
Eva says
Well I sure don’t!
Gavin Basham says
I agree with you sir. What makes me so mad is that people will think… ” Spanking your child causes mental disabilities.” I’ve been spanked and I have high functioning autism. I am 100% on board with spankings. It just irritate the crap out of me whenever people say. “You can’t just spank your kid, you just have to give them a talk to.” Scolding your child is not going to work. Saying ” I am not proud of you.” Won’t work. Counting to 3 and saying I am going to spank your butt will work. People these days need to stop acting like a wuss whenever it comes to disciplining their kids. I am 21 years old and I do not have kids. And also, why in the world would anyone give their kids phones now a days? ( I am getting off topic about disciplining kids).
Chloe says
Um most people on the spectrum like myself, are 100% against spanking and spanking children with disabilities is wrong, they don’t understand why 98% of the time and it just makes their disability worse. I have studied psychiatry and psychology for years and continute to study them from time to time. you must be lying about having ASD if you believe spanking dosesn’t harm disabled children. do your reaserch!!!! if you have actually have ASD, when were you diagnosed? I was diagnosed at six or seven. You sound like a BIG FAT LIAR!
Luca says
Thank you so much!
Mike says
You are so full of poop that your eyes on are brown. Spanking does not make a disability worse.
Freddie Mercury says
That is racist you bum
Amy says
It depends on what level of the spectrum you are on. Albert Einstein was autistic, yet obviously extremely intelligent. So he shouldn’t have been spanked for misbehaving? Get oughta here!
Princess says
I Have Autism Spectrum, and I was diagnosed with it at 9, and let me tell you that’s false cause I am against spanking but i think that because i suffered years of abuse or because I am just against it.
Rachel G says
Very interesting to hear their opinions on this topic which always excites some controversy! My Mom spanked me and my siblings on a number of occasions in childhood–it was always done in love, and I appreciate her for raising all of us well! I know we gave her a bit of trouble along the way.
Roberto Romano says
Good,my mom spanking and slapping me a lot of time and when was a teen ager i was like a man because she educated me always on sport,martial arts,combat sports and body building,was 1,85 meters height for 85 kilo of muscle without fat and very strong! She was a little Lady: 1,55 meters height for so kilo weight! When i need to learn education and respect for her and other her female friends,she used also the whipp and the cane for shooting me.But was necessary,i don’t was died and growthing well. Also if she shooting me with slapping,whippiing, caning and punishing me i love my mother very much and understand that she used these method for me for educated me that was a rebel,today the most of mom and dad learn at their sons/daughters that are like princeps/princess and they can doing all that wishing..If will is possible return on past time i wishing to have my mother again for educated me and never these modern mom and dad
jan says
I spank my son and daughter and I think is good dicipline on the bare bottom with over the knee
John says
What do you use on your children my mum used the belt on my bare bottom
Richard Kohler says
Good parent! I spank my my 7 y/o son and he’s a better kid for it.
H Davies says
I feel that if spanking is done properly it is effective and appropriate. But it shouldn’t be done in anger. If other options don’t work and the child doesn’t respect parental authority, a healthy spanking is warranted. Otherwise the child becomes the authority in the home and it teaches the child not to have respect for those in positions of leadership and authority over him. It’s also Biblical to spank your child. The parent is instructed by God to train a child in the way he needs to go. If he isn’t taught to respect parents, he will not respect others in authority and positions of leadership in society, like teachers, police officers and government leaders. The Bible also says a child who is rebellious is a shame to it’s parents. They can also end up in prison. It’s better to follow God’s advice than man’s.
gee joyner says
Man you don’t spank nobody it is not good discipline
Mark says
Well, since the Bible says to physically discipline your children, you have nothing to say about it. You don’t like it, you don’t have to. But those of us who want to, we’re going to do it, you don’t like it, I don’t care. Don’t be telling us how to raise our children, and we won’t tell you to shut the h*** up. But since you commented and told us what to do, then I will tell you what to do. Keep quiet.
Akshainee says
Well okay! if you don’t wanna spank then don’t spank and that’s a good way to discipline children .You do you. You make your own choice
Percy says
I didn’t get spanked as a child.. I got BEATEN. When you f— up you get f—– up. It’s how life works. I personally don’t see the controversy tbh… first world problems smh
Mark says
I think the government should stay the h*** out of our business when we spank our children. We’re not killing them, we’re teaching them how to have respect. And spanking does not create violence in anybody if you do it right. You don’t need to spank anywhere but the butt. The Bible teaches that physical discipline on your children is right. And I will do it to this day. And God’s will comes before the government of any country. so I will follow God’s will above any law of this world and it’s a government ever place, especially America where we have a constitution that says we can raise our children any damn way we please. If the government don’t like it, I don’t give a d***, it’s none of their dang business. And all of these bleeding heart child’s rights activist can also shut the h*** up and stay the h*** out of our business. Maybe they need to have their butts paddled to knock some sense into their empty heads.
Holly says
You should really re-read the Bible. Man has interpreted a lot of it how the please. I don’t think God is ok with paddling kids and spanking kids instead of using other methods. Do I think its *sometimes* needed. Yes, depending on the child. But what you said is a crock of s***.
Gabe Horn says
If I see any of you douche bags hitting your kids, I’m going to beat the living sh-t out of you in front of your kids so they’ll have something to talk to their therapists with.
E says
Whatever
Scott says
You can try. I have arms and legs as well as you.
Akshainee says
We should spank our children as a last resort and no implements needed. Spanking is only for younger children not for a teenager. Only 5 swats are enough and tell your children why are we spanking them.
After the spanking we should always remind them of how much we love them and the put them in the corner to calm them down. After they calmed we should allow them to resume normal activity.
Albert says
Maybe someone should “spank” these parents.
Parents who spank simply lack maturity and self control.
Tricia says
Eva says
Your 100%WRONG!
Hope”YOU”never have kids in the future,you’d make a TERRIBLE parent!
Bruce says
Spank them.