Eva Mendes Sparked A Debate About Spanking Children And Responded To Commenters On Instagram

"We all parent our own way."

In addition to being an accomplished actor, Eva Mendes is the mother to two children, Esmeralda Amada and Amada Lee.

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Mendes shares both children with her partner, Ryan Gosling.

Mendes recently took to Instagram and shared a photo of her wearing a Versace dress while mentioning that she's "often asked what my favorite red carpet dress is," but "not often asked what my favorite parenting quote is, but I’ll post it anyway."

@evamendes / Via instagram.com

"Spanking does for a child's development what hitting a spouse does for a marriage," she shared in an image on the next slide.

@evamendes / Via instagram.com

Not everyone agreed with the sentiment Mendes shared, but she replied to many users on both sides of the debate. In response to one user saying that "I was spanked and now I’m a respectful adult," she replied that she was "so happy to agree to disagree" and that parenting "[doesn't] come with a manual."

@evamendes / Via instagram.com

According to People, when one commenter said they "completely disagree" with her, Mendes responded that she "found the quote powerful and wanted to pass it on" before offering "lotsa love to you and yours."

@evamendes / Via instagram.com

But, ultimately, the message Mendes shared is one very much worth considering.

@evamendes / Via instagram.com

The American Academy of Pediatrics recently released a policy statement confirming its opposition to corporal punishment (any form of physical punishment, including spanking), stating that it’s harmful and ineffective. That conclusion is backed up by health professionals and extensive research.

@evamendes / Via instagram.com

You can find more information and resources for parenting with respect and without corporal punishment by reading Janet Lansbury's No Bad Kids, as well as listening to her Unruffled podcast.