Spanking for disciplining children is a hot-button issue these days.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has weighed in, saying it’s not the best method and can even be harmful. But there are still parents out there, like the well-known singer Kelly Clarkson, who think it can be okay.
Back in a radio interview in 2019, Kelly, who’s a mom to two young kids—River Rose, who’s 8, and 6-year-old Remy—talked about her stance on this topic, saying she’s “not above spanking” to set her children straight.
Now, she’s not talking about harsh punishment. Kelly prefers to call it “a little spanking.” She draws from her childhood experiences, explaining that she was spanked too and felt it hasn’t held her back in life. As she puts it, “I’m from the South, y’all,” where her mom even allowed school principals to discipline her if needed. “I turned out fine and feel great about it,” she asserts.
Despite her achievements as a singer, songwriter, author, and a TV personality—with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame to boot—Clarkson is aware that her approach as a parent might not be everyone’s cup of tea.
In fact, she talks about the difficulty of disciplining kids in the public eye, where people might judge her decisions. “It’s tricky when you’re out in public,” she admits. People often think spanking is wrong, but Clarkson, who personally believes in its effectiveness, hints she might even resort to it in places like the zoo if she finds it necessary.
She insists on the importance of communicating with her kids beforehand, making sure they understand the boundaries. Her typical approach? “I tell them, ‘Hi, I’m going to spank you on your bottom if you don’t stop right now; this is ridiculous,’ and honestly, it’s really helped. They don’t act out as often.”
So, what’s your take on Kelly Clarkson’s way of disciplining her kids? Should parents be allowed the flexibility to choose how they want to discipline their children?