It is acceptable for parents to use physical force to discipline their children

IELTS Writing Task 2 with sample answer.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?

It is acceptable for parents to use physical force to discipline their children.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.


Sample Answer:
Disciplining children is the linchpin part of parenting since it will shape their future behavior. Using physical force as a way of dealing with discipline problems in children is deemed very controversial for all the hot buttons it pushes. Many parents rely on corporal punishment to some extent. However, I am of the honest opinion that hitting children is a demonic act, since it does not work at all and moreover   it may cause mental disorder.

Many parents argue that children often do not understand well that what is right or wrong and just by explaining with words is not enough because they are not enough mature to think clearly what is told. In this instance, the most effective way to let them realize what they have done is give them some corporal punishment so that they can remember the physical pain. The parents contend that this help prevent the children to do the same mistakes again and also the children think twice before any mistake.

However, this may be true in some cases, but in most cases it does not actually work even if it appears so. Physical punishment may stop problematic behavior, but this is because the child is afraid. In the long run, spanking will only make the child’s behavior worse. The sad irony is that the more you give your children corporal punishment for their lack of self-control, the less they have. More importantly, corporal punishment alters the children’s brains. A 2009 study revealed that the kids who were frequently physically punished ( defined as at least once a month for more than three years) has less gray matter in particular areas of the prefrontal cortex that have been associated with depression, addiction and other mental health disorders. In addition, the negative impact of corporal punishment is so colossal that its effect longs to the child’s adulthood.

In pithy, the bottom line of my argument is that discipline is subject to teach how to behave. And umpteen studies show that physical punishment is ineffective at changing behavior. And ironically, physical punishment teaches kids that aggression is an acceptable means of problem solving.