Do you think that spanking is child abuse?

does an adult hit another adult to make a point? no

In Australia, it is considered to be abuse to hit a child above the shoulders or in such a way that causes the child to have a "mark" for "a period of time". Whatever that means.

I personally do not agree with physical punishment. If you've raised the kid right, 99% of the time there would be no need. It just shows a lack of control on the parents behalf, to lose temper and lash out.

I always think it teaches the child that violence is okay, when it isn't.

I was spanked as a child but I do not at all condone it. I think it's a horrible method.

Is unconsented circumcision of a newborn not genital mutilation and therefore serious physicsl abuse as well?
I've always thought it was a terrible thing.

I think it depends on what your children respond to. Some children only respond to spankings, some kids don't respond to spankings at all. I was a kid who "time out" just meant leisure time for me. A time where I didn't have to do anything but lie down and daydream which is what I always did anyway not being the playful type. Taking toys away didn't mean anything to me either. I was too imaginative and I didn't need toys to have fun. The only thing that prevented me from acting up was a good ass burning.

Now beating the shit out of your kids is always wrong but a little pop that hurts them enough to teach them not to do better is not bad.

Depends.

If it's only one or two slaps on the bottom at the heat of the moment, or when your child is being especially unruly, then no, it isn't. Parents are human too and sometimes resorting to this now and then when their patience is wearing thin is perfectly normal, human, and even sometimes necessary. Kids like to test their parents now and then and a spank or two on the bottom let them know that they'd crossed the line. But if you are in a loving relationship with your child then all will be forgiven. Just let them know that you still love them and perhaps take them out for ice cream after an "episode." Kids will remember the circumstances in which they'd "crossed the line," keep their behavior in check, and will love you just the same. It wouldn't be enough to "damage" them. Healthy kids in a loving family environment are especially resilient.

I support corporal punishment in more extreme cases. If I had kids and I saw one doing terrible stuff like cyberbullying a suicidal girl, I'd beat his ass. If it's not a severe issue, I support more positive reinforcement.

Personally as a child, I was not desciplined by getting spanked but I definetly believe in spanking.

I tested my mother quite a few times because I though "if all she's gonna do is send me to my room then why not" which is not right, and when I have a child one day, they need to know they will either behave, or get a spanking.

I don't think spanking is abuse, I think hitting a child in the face, punching, kicking, insulting & cursing at, pushing, all qualify as abuse. A good spank on the bottom is not abuse. It keeps a child in check and seing as I'm not the kind of person who is prepared to deal with a disobedient, defiant child, I would say spanking would be a good way to discipline a child.

I killed my father because he abused me a as a child but I was only 11 so I didn't go to jail! :)

I was spanked, smacked, thrown around, grabbed roughly, had a bar of soap shoved in my mouth, and was shouted insults at right in my face. He tried to kick me out of the house at 16. Mom took me to a counselor and told her that I was single-handedly responsible for ruining their marriage. Dad thought he was doing the "right" thing. He thought he was earning respect, when it was really just compliance out of fear that he might hurt me again. All he did was estrange me and cause a rift in our relationship. I've tried to make amends, but he refuses to own up to what he did. I may never forgive either of them.

If the OP turns out to be that child abuse advocate, be warned you will be reported. If not and you're just starting a discussion, my apologies.

I don't think spanking is child abuse. I was spanked a couple times as a kid. I was never beaten, though.

It's just that people need to differentiate between being hit and being beaten. Beating your child halfway to death over nothing is child abuse. Giving a kid a quick spanking because he cursed you out and kicked a stranger, for example, is totally justified.