New bill prohibiting spanking?

Question

A senator in California is trying to pass a bill that would make spanking illegal, and punishable by 1 year in jail and 1,000 dollars in fines. Although I rarely spank, I feel that none of the states can keep up with actual child abusers as it is, let alone adding a new bill that will cost the state and DHS millions in trying to reinforce it. What does everybody else think?

If the new bill indeed states that it only applies to children under 3, then I can understand that. But in Oklahoma, they are showing it in the news as though it applies to all children, regardless of age

Answer 1

it's an interesting bill. while i only spank if my daughter tries to do something extremely dangerous there are people who spank for things a child does because they are a child. i agree with how will they find out who is spanking and who is not? i think it will be the same way as abuse cases, wither a teacher or other adult notices bruises and calls child services and the police. the way i feel about all the legislation is eventually you will have to have a witness there before you can even touch your child.

Answer 2

NO! I'd like to take a poll and ask how many people were corporally punished, and did it help them, hurt them, or have no effect. Hey, if spanking is child abuse, then a whole bunch of abused children have grown up to be great adults, which really dilutes the child abuse issue. Would they go so far as to ban a pop on the diaper, which is more sound than fury? Is it better for a child to learn not to touch a stove by burning herself or by having her hand slapped a few times? Lieber is wack. Spanking can be done abusively, but hugging and kissing can be, too. This is being intruduced because a certain legislator can't tell the difference between a spanking and a beating. Let's hope the voters show a little more discernment!

Answer 3

I heard about something like that on the local news and couldn't believe it! Spanking is not abuse. It should ALWAYS be used as a last resort, but it should be allowed. Why are the states going crazy over spanking when we have people that are 'beating' children. Those are the ones that need lots of time in jail, AND pay thousands of dollars in fines, not someone trying to discipline their child through a simple spanking. I think it's stupid, and it better not be passed.

I heard that it's for 2-3 and under. Now, I believe that is okay. At that age toddlers should be given time-outs. But when I child starts getting older is when they basically no longer care for time-outs and that's when spanking needs to come in.

Answer 4

This is dumb. So now we can not spank a kid for misbehaveing... The people who are going to do bad things are going to do bad things wether we put a fine or not. What you are doing is takeing power away from Real parents that choose to bring kids up in a certain way. "Spanking" is a hell of a lot better then slapping in the head or yelling at that age. Its a reminder on a soft part that doesnt Stay (bruise) that you have committed a no no. The reason we have kids like the Hiltons and the Richies and all those brats is specifically because they werent knocked upside the head when they were kids saying stop being such pricks.

Answer 5

Once my 18 month old was banging his head on the wall because he did not get his way, he was enraged (red on the face) and decided to hit his head on the floor. At that moment, I picked him and "spanked" him through the diaper, took him to his crib and told him that he was not going to behave that way. You should have listened him scream and shake his crib like he was going to tear it down. After 20 minutes (boy, kids are something), I did not hear any more yelling, so went to see what was going on, he was in the middle of his crib, just thinking I suppose. I asked him if he was OK, he nodded so I picked him up, hugged him and told him that I loved him. This was the second and last time he had such an outburst. He is now a 4th grader and well behaved. I will never think to "spank" him at this stage of his life, since I believe in self control and I think I had taught him that all these years. He is responsible for his behavior.
Legislators are trying to divert resources that we do not have with silly laws.

Answer 6

Completely agree with you. I dont spank but think the law would be a mistake to pass. There are children who need the governments help getting out horrible situations and the state should concentrate on those children first. If this law passes, I forsee many kids that are abused horribly falling through the cracks because the state is prosecuting parents who spank a child on his diapered bottom because he ran out to the street.

Answer 7

The government should not be telling parents how to raise their kids period. There is a big difference between a F'd-up pevert abusing a child and a parent innocently swatting a child in his terrible two's to get his attention. The liberals WILL use this to propagate this perpetual need they have to destroy the bases of what this country is based on....the family

Answer 8

I agree with you. the states can't enforce the laws they have why add more. I don't have children, but I was raised by a spanker, and it was always a last resort. I don't remember being spanked often but it usually involved me doing something really bad. I think my sister and I turned out pretty okay.

Answer 9

i think it's STUPID. spanking is not harmful to a child if done in a loving and controlled way. It is an effective way to discipline at times. I don't think it is something that should be used for every little infraction but what business is it of the gov't to try and legislate how I raise my kids???

Answer 10

I think it is important to protect children and it may make parents realize that there are other alternatives to spanking. I am so tired of all these "Pro spankers" Get a life and an education.