is it illegal to hit my children?

Question

i dont mean like for no reason, but is it illegal to slap them and hit them if they do something wrong?

PS: dont tell me its immoral because its the best way to raise a kid (call me immoral if you want, i dont care)

tyra i warned you i dont care, but grounding just doesnt work, while a good slap might make them think about it once or twice, and plus they dont grow up to be too soft

Answer 1

You should raise your child however you want to however dont do it out of anger cause im going to whip my kids cause aint no child going to run me or my house

Answer 2

I think you have an obligation to discipline your children. But the punishment needs to be consistent and not done in a rage. Kids need to learn that there are consequences for improper behaviour. It's better that you punish them than someone else. And do it because you Love them and make sure they know it. A friend of mine was disciplined psychologically while growing up with all the modern techniques that some people are so fond of. I have had to pull him away from the street to keep him from getting ran over. He doesn't understand the concept of "consequences for your actions". It's important that kids are taught this, starting at an early age, for their own well being when they become an adult. I am a responsible adult thanks to my Loving parents who gave me spankings with a belt, a hand, a small tree limb, or whatever's handy. I don't understand why some people have such a problem with kids getting their butts spanked. I got mine spanked and you don't hear me complaining. This discipline thing doesn't stop just because you become an adult either. If you don't believe me try missing too much work, driving over the speed limit, driving drunk, or stealing something from your neighbor. Then see if they don't make the punishment fit the crime. Having discipline is a permanent thing in life and adults have the responsibility to teach it to the upcoming generation. They are the next generation in training so we as families must discipline our children or someone they don't know will.

Just wanted to add that there is a difference between Loving your children and respecting your children. They are supposed to respect you and not the other way around. I guess you should respect that they have there own personal belongings but they have to respect that you provided them. Respect is something that is earned and Love is something that is given. If children want respect all they have to do is be responsible. I guess once again what applies to children also applies to adults.

Also my parents hit me when I did something wrong and it DID NOT teach me to hit people when I grew up. As a matter of fact I have only been in one serious fight in my life. I was very patient and didn't fight the guy on the first sign of a problem. I actually tried to defuse the situation and got physical as a last resort. So much for the idea of "It teaches kids that hitting is OK". That's the stupidest thing I ever heard. If the guy that I got into a fight with would have been disciplined more as a child maybe he would have respected me more and I wouldn't have had to discipline him. Once again if you don't discipline your children someone else will.

Answer 3

This has raised a lot of eyebrows as of late within our society because of all the gray areas surrounding your question. There are laws against child abuse, yet, they are tested when it comes to discipline. From what I've seen as a social worker, discipline is okay, HOWEVER once you start leaving marks, smacking them for the weakest of reasons...then it's no longer okay and crosses the line. I understand "Spare the rod, spoil the child". I've swatted a few behinds raising five children, but I've learned as they grew older, hitting them didn't make them behave any better. That took constructive teaching lessons, positive reinforcement for good behavior and constant guidance. It's a lot of work, but looking back, I can honestly say it was the best way to go. I don't have any guilt in the way I raised them, they have the upmost respect for me, they rarely act up and it allowed us to keep open and honest lines of communication through the teenage years....which we all know, rarely happens in this day and age.

So in short, it's okay to spank a child, but it's wrong to hit, slap, punch, kick, pull hair, etc. And if you do it in public, be prepared to suffer the consequences you'll face through our court systems.

Answer 4

Sometimes there is a fine line between discipline and abuse - and most people simply don't know where that line is.

When you slap/hit children, you are teaching them that violence is the answer. You are also teaching them that the best slapper/hitter is the winner - great bullying techniques.

I have never had to resort to slapping/hitting my child. My daughter is very well behaved and does as she is told, or knows she should (she is a teenager). I am quite strict with her and she is certainly not undisciplined. I just chose to discipline in ways that were more loving and respectful.

I was brought up being slapped/hit. My parents believed in "spare the rod, spoil the child". I vowed as a child that if I ever had children I would learn how to discipline them in a more fair manner and I would personally be better in control of myself than to have to resort to barbaric punishment to "put them in their place." I have as little contact with my parents now as I possibly can. They were nothing more than bullies when I was growing up and taught me nothing but fear - not respect - just fear that grew into hate, and there is a huge difference.

Answer 5

In most states it can now be grounds for a charge of child abuse, unfortunately. it's got parents scared of their children, and the unbridled children are running helter skelter!

it's not a good idea after the age of about 12.
I think at an early age to get their undivided attention for breaking a know rule, it's appropriate IF you don't know any other way of handling the child.

Answer 6

I don't know about illegal where you are , but if mine were trying to do something that could seriously hurt I would slap their little fingers to get their attention . If they back talked me I slapped their bottom . My parents were a different generation and we got some pretty severe beatings leaving welts and bruises . THAT IS NEVER OKAY .

Answer 7

It depends on what, exactly, you mean by "hit". Spanking, within reason, is okay, but knocking 'em up side the head is illegal. Slapping their hand is legal, but "slapping" it with a hammer ain't too cool. You have to use reason, and tempermant. I can understand your concern, but just use some reasonableness, and rationale and tempermant and wisdom. God Bless you.

Answer 8

It's illegal and you can get your kids taken away for it. Not only that, but you're teaching your kids its ok to hit to punish. It's ok to hit when you are frustrated.

Acting like that is not going to help. If you continue this way there is a high likelyhood of your children growing up either cowering in fear or lashing out as others. Most women who get involved in one abusive relationship after another have been abused themselves as a child. Most men who abuse their family have been abused themselves. History repeats, so please stop to break the cycle. What you may think is simple punishment could be a lot worse through the eyes of your family. Do you want to be remembered this way in the hearts of those you love?

Answer 9

My ex-son-in-law had custody of my eldest grandson, who is currently 5 yrs old.

Child Protective Services was called by my grandson's daycare 2 yrs ago due to 'things' they saw between him and his father, and a case was opened. During the investigation the other set of grandparents had temp. custody. A year later, the father got my grandson back.

This past March, the father lost his temper when my grandson wasn't cooperating with him, and he BEAT him. He slapped him in the face with both hands (palms), and he did it so hard that he didn't just leave red hand marks on his face, but literal black and blue bruise hand prints.

The father was arrested and taken to jail, and the other grandparents got temp custody again. Later they were given permanent managing conservatorship, and my husband and I received possessory conservatorship (my daughter is his mother).

The father was facing 2-10 in the penetentiary, along with monetary fines. At the hearing, the district attorney offered 8 years, and the other attorney countered with 8 yrs probation, monetary fine, and community service; final decision still pending.

In the meantime, the new custody orders give the mother and father visitation of every-other-Saturday, for 2 hrs, SUPERVISED.

IT IS ILLEGAL TO BEAT YOUR KIDS. I spanked my kids, yes. However, it was with the palm of my hand ONLY (never belts, switches, etc.), and ONLY on their behind. And then, it was one or two swats, never to hurt but only to get their attention, and I never removed their pants, underwear, etc.

My poor grandson is now having MAJOR emotional issues, and we, the grandparents, are the ones having to pick up the pieces and try and find a way to help him. The bruises heal, but the emotional wounds DON'T. It's a lasting scar.

You can permenantly damage your kids, emotionally, and you can go to jail for a very long time AND have your kids taken from you. If you love them you will discipline them, yes. But if you do LOVE THEM, you will NOT BEAT them. And if you DON'T love them, you shouldn't raise them; someone who does love them and will treat them right needs to raise them for you.

It's best for them and for you. For them so they don't have lasting and permanent scars, and for you so that you don't go to jail and lose them. Our children are helpless and look to us to protect them. They have no choices, and it's up to us to make the right decisions for them. If you aren't able to put them and their true long-term needs first, then please consider allowing someone who can to raise them.

For your well being, and theirs.

Answer 10

Most places its OK to discipline your child. I did but if I were to live it again I would not. Most times that I spanked, it was in frustration or anger. Beating on someone is not the answer. It teaches that it is OK at some point for someone to strike another. That's a poor lesson to pass on.

Answer 11

Teaching a child to manage anger or bad behaviour by hitting isn't a good example. There are many books etc with great ideas for parents to deal with bad behaviour. I'm sure you will do a good job as just asking questions is all apart of being a good parent.

PS I have raised 2 kids with great results so the proofs in society being productive.