Besides being a multiplatinum rapper and frequently incarcerated celebrity, DMX is also a family man with 10 children. And during a recent visit to Dr. Drews “Lifechangers” show, DMX reflected upon his own childhood and the punishments he would receive as well as the influence it’s had on his methods of discipline for his own children.

While discussing his 2002 book, E.A.R.L: The Autobiography of DMX, recalled his confessions of child abuse from his mother and explained to Dr. Drew that, during his younger years, getting beatings was just a normal thing.

“Back then, everybody got beatings,” he explained. “To a certain extent, it made me a better person. Although, some were a little extreme. It got pretty bad. There were plenty of days I couldn’t sit down in school. There were three extension cords and she would braid them together and sometimes we would get it with that. That was pretty rough.”

After Dr. Drew explained to a curious DMX why he’s chosen not to beat his own children, X was then asked if he beats his kids.

“You don’t really have to beat them. That one time… Smack them on the a– with a belt a couple of times and they get the point. It was not continual beating,” explained X.  “Anybody you’ve got to beat over and over again, evidently it’s not working. You give them a spanking that one time. After, you explain to them not to do it and you go back and do it again.”

DMX then admitted that his own mother got out of hand with her beatings and emphasized the importance of communicating values and morals to children, not just beating them.

“That’s why I talk to my kids first. I sit them down and explain to them what they did wrong,” said DMX. “If I see that they are genuinely remorseful about the situation, then I’ll let it go, because it’s about them learning. It’s not about me beating them.”

What are your thoughts on methods of punishment and child abuse? –nicholas robinson