Jennifer Lopez Says Her Mom 'Beat' Her As A Child

Jennifer Lopez is looking back on her childhood. In Jennifer's new Netflix documentary "Halftime," the "Hustlers" actress reflected on her relationship with her mother Lupe, claiming the matriarch used to "beat" her when she was little. "She did what she had to do to survive, and it made her strong, but it also made her tough. She beat the shit out of us," Jennifer shared.

[@unabellavita6541]

I was raised like this. I’ve raised my own grown kids and I can tell you with certainty that you don’t need physical punishment to raise strong, good, healthy kids. My children are grown and doing amazing things with their lives. We are a loving family, you don’t need to hurt your kids to raise them right.

[@moni4peace]

I love my mother with all my heart and soul but she would smack us when we were bratty. In Latin culture, it is not so unusual. It is never too hard but enough to shock you out of being stupid.

[@jennymarie4073]

What older Spanish mother didn't. I mean let's be honest here.

[@valerieminster1626]

There is nothing wrong with JLO telling the truth of what happened to her. But now JLO has forgiven her and that is what counts the most.

[@preciousone9377]

Her mom did what she needs to do to keep them on the right path, my brothers and I got jacked up by my mom too. I chose a different path of discipline with my own child and she turned out just fine. We learn to know better and we do better to break these horrible cycles.

[@janetescalona6517]

My husband was beaten with a belt when he was young...it damaged him, we raised two Cuban American boys sans all the violence and drama my mother in law took the easy way out, talking and explaining AND enforcing the non violent punishment is much harder, but worth it for your kids 💯

[@The95AVALON]

I am 76 and grew up in an immigrant family. I was NEVER spanked,married a man who was never spanked, and never spanked our children. I do not believe beating children improves obedience; it instills fear and anger.

[@dvsxavier]

I really appreciate Jennifer for sharing her life story so other's can get inspired and follow their dreams.

[@pmd1933]

Beat? Or discipline them or spanked them. I find beat to be extreme and implies abuse. Disciplining your children the old fashion way, I lived it and think it helped us be better people knowing that discipline will happen.

[@ValE-zn6zf]

I wish parents can just accept their mistakes without adding that BUT in.

[@fromthebottom1112]

We're from the generation where a stare from our mother could turn our whole life around..

[@MonicaCarroll94]

I love that J’Lo was so honest in this documentary. I love how hardworking and dedicated and strong J’Lo is. I wish her and her kids and family nothing but the best. ☺️

[@jenniferl1908]

She is a child of the 70's - this is how we all grew up. I'm sure therapy helped her since she said she went to work on her issues.

[@jjgems5909]

Honestly, people keep saying you can raise “healthy happy children without any corporal punishment” but everywhere I go, so many children are so disrespectful, so lazy, negligent, rude, entitled, suicidal, depressed etc… more parents seem to stop spanking their kids and yet more and more kids just seem miserable. I don’t believe in beating a child, but a smack on the bottom isn’t abuse. I don’t care what anyone says. The studies they have done lump parents who simply spank and parents who actually beat and abuse their children under one category. It’s not the same. My parents spanked me, I have zero anger or resentment towards them. No matter what you do as a parent your child will always have some level of emotional trauma. Maybe some kids thrive better without even spanking but some I truly believe need it. Honestly the worst for me was being yelled at. I’d taking a spanking over just being screamed at. That’s the one thing my mom did that was truly hurtful.

[@angelofmery21]

Hmm I don't know what happened in her household but I do feel annoyed with how some people seem to be inappropriately using the word "beat" to describe spankings. The Bible even speaks about spanking your children. No one should be beating your children but you also don't have to resort to spanking your children for any and ever situation. You have to be able to talk with with them. I feel I got a healthy balance of both and I am grateful for my mom. We are extremely close & bonded. She is,am amazing human. I'm 36 BTW for reference.

[@Mirka-tq1ji]

It's really sad people don' t realize how parents judgement and criticism can completely traumatize their kids and make hem believe they are not good enough. Good for J'Lo for moving away from this environment and building her own life the way she believed she deserved. And to be honest, these were tough times to be successful as woman in a male dominated industry where women were completely objectified for their bodies. Just remembering how every body made fun of her body and curves is absolutely unacceptable today. Thank you J'Lo for being so strong and leading the way for many women in the world to stand up for themselves!

[@ajfet8165]

The fact that my family put hands on me is unforgivable

[@emiliaavagyan781]

you know, in some cultures spanking or hitting , not brutally hitting is ok, it is called discipline not abuse.

[@dvsxavier]

All the hardwork and self-sacrifice paid off Jen. Thank you.

[@denascott5950]

I grew up with an Italian/ Puerto Rican Auntie and My Tio was Puerto 🇵🇷. My earliest memories were her yelling "I'm gonna get my chongala and give you pow pow!! Lol I. Miss her 😢