Is spanking your child illegal?

Question

Im not talking about abusing them i mean swatting thier butts. I dont know about the rest of you but im 29 and when and where i grew up that was the status quo. We had violent movies i.e Rambo, Friday the 13th and so on and most of us didnt turn into violent sociopaths because we were spanked. In fact i think younger people have lost all touch with reality when in it comes to right and wrong.

Answer 1

Very Legal in the US and Canada. In our home it's also practiced when necessary.

The law in most states (and myself) defines a illegal spanking as one that leaves a permanent mark such as a blister, bruise, welt.. other then a temporary red bottom. Also the spanking must only be on the bottom. Since I am not a lawyer you might want to speak with one in your state or country, who can advise you of your rights.

I provided a link with every states law in regards to physical discipline. Still talk to a lawyer where you live

Answer 2

In Canada, it is absolutely legal to spank your child on the bum, bare if you so desire.

Section 43 of the Criminal Code of Canada was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2005 in that a parent can use reasonable physical force to correct a child, as long as that force does not harm the child. The key work is harm not hurt.

The provinces, particularly Social Services, usually define a reasonable spanking where any evidence of it is transitory in nature.

In other words, if you spank your child and any signs (ie some redness) are gone within the day, that is reasonable.

This has already been tested in court and the parents have won.

There is as much research to indicate that spanking does not harm a child as indicates that it does.

There is no correlation between spanking and psychopathic behaviour. In fact, most psychopaths had outstanding non-violent upbrings. This stumps researchers to this day.

Answer 3

I also am 29 and I believe in a good old fashioned spanking when it is deserved or needed. I have a 9 and 3 year old and when or if it is needed they know what to expect when they behave out of line.

When I was about 17, my dad spanked my brother. My brother got angry and called the police. When the police got there they informed my brother that since he was a minor and lived in his parents home they had the right to spank him as long as it was with an open hand (no paddles, belts, etc.) on the rear end (not the face or body). Don't you know that was the last time my brother questioned my fathers authority.

I see no problem with it as long as it isn't abusive or excessive.

Answer 4

I agree!! I remember my sister now 21 getting spanked everyday for really valid reasons and honestly I have a 4 yr old myself and he does get the swat on the bottom...really only his bottom unless hes wiggling and only in cases for things that he knew he shouldn't have done and was warned previously for or my biggest is stuff that will harm him or someone else how else will he know that its dangerous without more serious consequences like death (running circles in the parking lot after breaking loose from my grip OMG my heart stopped )or whatever he's doing. Overall I could say that the way my husband and I discipline him is fine he's pretty well grounded child. I'm not in fear of anyone saying how I discipline him is unlawful or abuse quite frankly it's none of there "kool aid" anyway. BTW I don't believe in meds to control ADHD either. but that's another answer.

Answer 5

No. A few whacks on the hind end should do it. I got spanked as a child, and I spanked my children. It makes them remember not to do a certain thing. That's the problem with kids today. They don't get disciplined in the right way.

AND to dww: I'm a liberal! Seems like you have the wrong impression of Liberals.Probably because you didn't get spanked enough. Wise up!

Answer 6

spanking is legal as long as it is not abusive (you cant break bones, draw blood, or hit with objects that could cause great physical harm)

Although exact legal definitions vary in the United States from state to state, there are two commonly accepted types of definitional standards that can be used to specify what is meant by physical abuse. The first is the harm standard, which considers behavior as abusive only if it results in demonstrable harm or injuries. Demonstrable harm could mean bruises, abrasions, cuts, burns, fractures, bites, or any of a number of other injuries. The second definitional standard for physical abuse is that of endangerment. Under this standard, physical assault by a parent or caregiver that presents a substantial risk of physical injury is considered abuse. Behaviors that would be considered abusive under this standard include hitting a child with a hard instrument or with closed fists, burning, scalding, poisoning, suffocating, drowning, kicking, shaking, choking, and stabbing. Although these actions may not result in observable injuries such as bruises or cuts, they are still considered abusive under an endangerment standard. Comparing these two standards, it can be seen that injury to the child is central to harm definitions while perpetrator behavior is the focus of endangerment definitions. Furthermore, harm definitions are more restrictive and more objective than endangerment standards.

Answer 7

I agree with you 100%. I hate the fact I have to run to the washroom with my child to give him or her a tap on the butt after hes been screaming in a public area and I have tried talking to him threateining him and nothing is wrking why bc he knows I cant swat him in public bc I can face getting ARRESTED. I think alot has to do with spanking being illegal (and there is a diffrence between spanking and beating a child blak n blue) but I think the other source of our problem is the fact we have all these key latch kids who leave to school and no one is home and get home from school and no one is home. The economy has forced the average family to have 2 breadwinners

Answer 8

I am 28 and i so agree... punishment, within set limits has nothing to do with violent movies and often kids will know the difference... i believe that a good smack on the butt is often the only answer... a lot of people might disagree, but that is just my thought...

Answer 9

A better question is what is the alternative? I can't think of one reason why spanking will make a child better. I wasn't brought up with spanking and my child doesn't get spanked either. I don't even give her "love swats" and have told family members that I don't approve of them when they have done so.

If a child is very young, they're just going to cry. They're not going to learn how they should behave from getting their butts swatted.

Toddlers and maybe up to 5 can use a time-out. Not getting attention is a far better punishment. They don't like to sit still.

Older kids can have priviledges taken away. When my daughter was six and was talking to much in class, she couldn't watch tv or use the computer that night after finishing homework. She was much better about talking in class after that. The next day I was talking to another mom whose son got in trouble too for talking. He was given the same punishment.

Answer 10

i dont think its illegal but its definatly frowned apon now... if u spank ur child in public now u get child services called on u and we all know how much they over act over the littlest things... i was spanked when i was a kid... probably 1 of the few kids spanked in my generation and i never been in alot of trouble... most people in schools now think they can do anything.... in my school 1 of the teachers were fired because a student said that the teacher hit him.... when in reality the teacher tapped him on the sholder to get his attention.... the kid was a freshmen... i think the world is looking worse and worse as people are failing to disiplin the children... aslong as they dont use a belt... ive been hit with a belt when i was a child too