Parents Talk: 9 Reasons You Shouldn't Spank Your Kids

Editor's Note: This article originally ran on Monday, Aug. 27. We're featuring it again for our weekend readers.

I read about a study last week that concluded that adults who were physically punished as children were at a greater risk of developing mental disorders like anxiety or depression.

The correlation was startling. The study found that "almost 20 percent of those who remembered being physically punished had suffered depression, and 43 percent had abused alcohol at some point in their life," compared to "16 percent of people who were not hit or slapped who complained of having suffered depressed and 30 percent who abused alcohol."

I'm not an advocate for spanking, hitting, slapping or any other physical punishment when it comes to my own children. Counselor/therapist Kim Olver provided the following 9 reasons why you shouldn't spank your kids. Do you agree?

1. Spanking shows that “stronger” is right.

2. Spanking demonstrates that older people have a right to hit younger people.

3. Spanking gives the example that violence solves problems.

4. Spanking damages self-esteem.

5. Spanking can increase the likelihood of developing mental health symptoms.

6. Spanking damages your relationship and trust.

7. No one can learn when they’re afraid.

8. Spanking reduces the influence you have with your children.

9. Spanking teaches children to lie to avoid detection or to avoid you.

What do you think? Do you agree with Olver's reasons to not spank? In your opinion, is spanking a viable form of punishment? Tell us why or why not in the comments below.