Kelly Clarkson has sparked a lengthy debate after she admitted that she spanks her children in public if they misbehave.
The Since U Been Gone hitmaker has revealed that she is physically disciplines her children.
In an interview on Atlanta Radio station 94.1, she said: “I’m not above a spanking, which people aren’t necessarily into. I don’t mean hitting her hard, I just mean a spanking.”
The singer shares two children with her ex-husband Brandon Blackstock: son Remington Alexander, 6, and daughter River Rose, 8.
Clarkson said that she is not afraid of disciplining her children in public.
“That’s a tricky thing when you’re out in public because then people are like, they think that’s wrong or something, but I find nothing wrong with a spanking.”
She also shared how her parents spanked her as a child and she is still a “well-rounded individual with a lot of character.”
“My parents spanked me and I did fine in life. I’m from the south y’all so like, we get spankings,” she explained, adding that her mother “would call the principal if I ever ended up in the principal’s office and give permission for her to spank me.”
She also revealed that she warns her children before disciplining them and her method has been effective.
“I’m like, ‘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,” she added.
According to a 2016 Gallup poll, 60 percent of parents support spanking their children but many organizations are against it.
The American Academy of Pediatrics said in a statement that parents should not ‘spank or use other physical punishments’ when it comes to disciplining their children.
“Instead of teaching responsibility and self-control, spanking often increases aggression and anger in children.”
The AAP explained that it teaches children that ‘causing someone pain is okay if you’re frustrated with those you love.’
The organization suggests ‘appropriate time outs’ for young children while ‘temporarily removing privileges’ they like for older children.
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