If you ask any adult what the problem is with children these days, they'll say that children have no respect; That they do not respect any form of authority or anyone for that matter. They will say that children will do and say what they want. I'm pretty sure I know why that is. It's because they were never properly disciplined. I don't mean once in a while taking their toys away or putting them in a time out, I mean spanking.

Now before anyone becomes upset and begins yelling "ABUSE! ABUSE!" I want to tell you something: The definition of the word discipline is "the practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behavior," while the definition of abuse is "treating a person with cruelty, especially regularly or repeatedly." So when I say properly disciplined with spanks, I mean only when necessary.

I was raised by parents who would take away toys if I acted up and would give me time out. But if that didn't work, or I got very out of hand, I would be smacked. I would be spanked on the butt or get a small smack on the mouth. I am 19 and I still do not say anything disrespectful to my parents because I learned fast that I had to respect my parents and their authority. They will say to this day that they did not like having to do that, but sometimes being nice and soft about the disciplines did not work.

I also have some younger family members who had the same upbringing as I did, and they have grown up to be well rounded and very respectful people. However, I do have some family members who did not, and I pity them. These kids have looked at their parents and said "Shut up," "I hate you," and "Go eff yourself."

They've said things that would give me a red mouth or a red butt if I ever said them. But because the parents think that spanking is "abuse," they don't do it. I know that if these kids would have been brought up with a little bit of what I had, the parents wouldn't have to stress themselves out all the time because of their behavior.

Parents like these have the idea that if they do spank their children, they will become more violent and aggressive. Naturally, there are studies that support this theory but, with all due and respect, you can put "studies say" before anything you claim to be true and it can sound truthful and smart.

Do you want to know what "study" I go by? The one that involves me seeing it with my own eyes, by watching my family members disrespect their parents, or by watching kids in the grocery stores throw tantrums and scream at their parents. This is one of the most disrespectful generations ever, and the fault on that lies with the lack of discipline.

Again, I want to say that I do not believe spanking should always be used. I am not condoning abuse. I am condoning discipline. They are different.

Note: I fully respect that it is up to the parents and I am not trying to tell you how to parent, I am expressing my thoughts and sharing my experience.