In an interview with Star 94.1 radio station in Atlanta, Georgia, singer and mother of two children Kelly Clarkson voiced out that she is "not above spanking" when it comes to disciplining her kids.
"I do believe in spanking, so you might catch me spanking my child at the zoo," Clarkson said in the interview via ABC News. "My parents spanked me, and I did fine in life, and I feel fine about it, and I do that as well."
The 35-year-old singer said that she warns her 3-year-old child, River Rose, with spanking, adding that she does not hit her hard and that the measure has really helped in disciplining her. Clarkson also revealed that she was spanked by her parents when she was young and that she feels fine about it.
As per the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), spanking or physical punishment only teaches aggressive behavior and becomes ineffective if used often. Instead, the AAP suggests that parents use appropriate time outs and disciplining older children by taking away their favorite privileges including sports activities and playing with friends. The study conducted by the AAP also found that spanking is linked to mental illness.
However, a poll conducted in 2016 by the consulting firm Gallup revealed that 62 percent of American parents approve of spanking children. Clarkson said she understands that there is a fine line when it comes to spanking, but adds that she believes in spanking. She also recognized that spanking "is a tricky thing, when you're out in public," because people think that it is wrong.
Clarkson has previously stated that she has no intention of being pregnant again, saying her body is not meant to be pregnant. She also revealed that her sister handled her pregnancy well and has offered to be her surrogate in the event that she wants another child.
