Should spanking your children be outlawed or a law?

Question

I believe spankings (not beatings) should be manditory in every household, punishable by law if it ISN'T done.
Of course, only when alternatives have been exhausted, or if the child has caused purposeful harm to another child, or any extreme reason. Wishful thinking, but some states in the U.S. will put parents in jail if they DO spank and they're caught, such as in Las Vegas.Ridiculous!!!

Answer 1

I believe a good spanking never hurt anyone. I deal with kids all the time that have no respect. If I acted like some kids I see today, my parents would have given me a good butt whippin! And I woulda deserved it! I grew up respecting my parents and backtalking was NOT tolerated.
I have nephews now, one of them is soooo BAD! He backtalks, cusses and even hits his mom. She just yells at him. So, he yells back. He doesn't do that when he's with me; I would spank his butt. And when we are shopping and he starts to throw a fit, we leave everything where it is and leave the store, he gets nothing. I've found with this one in particular though, spankings don't work so much now that he is older. I make him write a paragraph or two, even a page sometimes on why he shouldn't do what he did.
For instance, he yelled at and back talked his grandmother. He had to write a page telling me why he should be nice to her and all the things that she does for him. By the time he finished he was in a better mood and hugged his grandma. He is an exceptional writer now, too! LOL He's had lots of practice!

Answer 2

I don't think it should be REQUIRED, but it seems ridiculous to make it illegal. Sometimes it's the only way to get through to some kids, or what they did is bad enough to warrant it.
Laws forbidding, or requiring spankings are too arbitrary. The kid, and the circumstances; along with the parenting should determine. I figure the laws against it are overreactive backlash from the cases where "spanking" was a cover for "beating".
There IS a line between a spanking, and a beating. The law would be better served in determining where that line is, and making sure the citizens know and respect the difference.

Answer 3

No, i don't think spanking should be outlawed nor should it be a law. starting at age 5 a child must be disciplined but not at the extent of using it whenever a child makes a mistake. it should only be done when a child commits a very serious offense such as hurting other kids etc. and they should only be hit on the butt and then they are given the explanation of why they are being punished.

Answer 4

Too bad we don't have different words for different kinds of spankings. There is a world of difference between a quick swat on the blue jeans when a toddler is defiant and calculated bullying and humiliation of an older child. A sadistic beating is still a sadistic beating, even if the blows are confined to the rear end, but not every spank is a beating.

Beating or humiliating ARE abuse, but a quick swat is an excellent "persuasion of last resort" for children too young to understand other means.

Answer 5

Children should get spankings, but it doesn't need to be a law. The problem is that some people's definition of a 'spanking' is really a 'beating' and that's where CPS needs to step in. Spankings also should never leave a bruise.

Answer 6

I think that spanking is fine if the parent deems it right. To mandate it's use in every household would be ridiculous and abusive. To offer such an idea makes me fear for your kids. On the same token, I think abuse should be punishable (as it is). It is one thing to spank your kid on the bottom a couple of times to punish but to make the kid live in constant fear is reprehensible.

Answer 7

Who's going to be the judge of when spanking is appropriate? The parents? You have to realize that their are just plain bad parents out there. Some people just don't need to spank their kids, they can disipline in different ways and still be effective in teaching their kids right from wrong. When you spank a kid for hitting another child, what is the child supposed to think? He's got three options: I got spanked because my mom/dad is bigger than me, therefore I can hit anyone smaller than me. I got spanked because mom/dad said so, therefore I can hit as long as I say it's justified. Or I got spanked because I got spanked and it doens't have to make sense. Children don't learn right from wrong with just a hit, you have to think of them like they are stupid people. It may sound silly but it's true. You need to treat them with respect, and TELL them what's going on, a punishment does not need to be physical to get through to a child. You wouldn't smack a grown person who is autistic just because they hit someone else (I hope you wouldn't anyway) You would explain the situation to them and try to teach them why you don't hit. An explanation like You don't like to be hit so why would you hit your brother is all a child needs. They won't over complicate things if you don't. Adding physical abuse just gives them one more thing to try to figure out. However. Some times I do agree with some physical intervention. A hit is never needed, but children will just straight out try to challenge you sometimes and that's when you may need to drag them to their time out spot. One of the most effective punishments is the bathroom trick. Taking a child to the bathroom and sitting in their with them when they've been bad is a most effective treatment for misbehaving. You sit on the counter and watch them sit on the floor screaming about what ever until they calm down. That's when it's time to explain things to them. Some parents are lazy though, so they think just hit the kid until they shut up and that'll teach 'em. So no, I think making spanking manditory is one of the worst ideas I've ever heard. Try to grow up.

Answer 8

Children should only be spanked when their activity puts them in serious danger such as running into the street, playing with knives, or the stove. Only on their bottoms and only until they are two or three. If they haven't learned by then, spanking will only make them rebellious.

Answer 9

i dont think spankings should be mandatory... but i do know people should learn the difference between discipline and abuse. and you never spank (if you must )when you are angry. also a little smack on the butt is designed.. for that two to four year old.. that is attempting to hurt him or herself..by running in street or something like that. but there are many ways to get your point across..to a child.. a spanking i would think would be a last resort after all has failed.. and communicate.. that you love your child.. if we dont discipline our children when they are young... the police will be happy to do it..when they are older.

Answer 10

Wherein I don't think a standard spanking is a bad thing and I don't think it should be outlawed, I don't think it should be mandatory either. In fact, I find that a ridiculous statement and a little scary. I don't want someone who thinks Las Vegas is a state telling me how to raise my child.

Interestingly, you are not the scariest person on here.