What do you think of California trying to pass a law making it illegal to spank your child 3 yrs or younger?

Question

The law would require a parent to pay a fine of $1000 dollars or do a year in jail.

It reminds me of how it was when Hitler took over Europe. So many children turned against their parents and were really children of the State. For me, the government has no right to our children unless their has been serious abuse. We see child molesters released all the time to re attack children. They have raped and killed and are not put to death yet they want to take good parents and criminalize them for disciplining their own children. I see this as a stepping stone towards a stronger socialist government in the United States. We should be paying more attention and make every effort to stop this kind of legislation, laws, policy’s from passing. It is not to our best interest in a fee society. We don’t need to be governed this way.

What the law would do is tie the hands of the parents because of the inconvience and the abuse charges that would go on the parents record that could actually effect their employement or future employement. Plus it gives revenue to the State.

Answer 1

You now are living in a police state as you people brought this upon yourselves by electing stupid people that turn a free country into a controlled country ,You people fight for freedom in other country's and your own country America is not free, No has the right to tell you how to bring your child up NOT even the government and the only way is to stop these stupid law makers is to fight back .

Answer 2

Well I think the government already steps too far into our lives - pass it - and in 20 years when there's no one with any common sense or boundaries left - perhaps then they'll see the error of their ways.

I see someone didn't like what I had to say and that's OK - I'm not saying that all kids should be beaten nor am I saying that children under 3 should be spanked. What I am saying is - it's just the beginning - once this law is passed it's just a matter of time before something even more extreme gets passed. Some kids don't listen reason, and for some the whole reward thing just turns into manipulation on the kids part - I KNOW - I have 6 kids - 2 of them have never needed more than a hard look - 2 would wait until you took something away from them - and 2 I thought we would have to beat half to death to get them to listen - even at 3 they test their limits

Answer 3

I'm not against spanking, but obviously you shouldn't spank a child who's too young to understand right from wrong. That would be before about 2 or 3 years old. And there are a LOT of stories in the news about little babies and toddlers being beaten to death by their parents/caregivers. Kids that small are fragile so using any kind of physical punishment can be dangerous.

Answer 4

There is a difference between discipline and abuse. Close fisted hay-makers equal abuse. Swatting a child's bottom for inappropriate behavior is discipline. Branding with hot irons is abuse. Swatting a child's hand after repeated warnings not to play with electrical outlets is protecting them against doing something stupid.

Do all children need a spanking? Of course not. Some children respond to harsh words, but we better be careful lest they pass laws against yelling because that would be inflicting emotional abuse. Raising children is not the same as raising a barn. There is more than one way to do it successfully. Well, there's probably more than one way to raise a barn too.

How does it benefit the child if they are separated from their parents for a year? Is the state better equipped to raise them? Are they to go into the foster care system, the epitomy of child raising models for which to strive?

Why a $1000 fine? It would be a drop in the bucket for the rich, and an undue burden for those not so well off. Might as well make it $1000 fine if you're rich to fill the city coffers or a year in jail if you're poor.

What's next? How about mandatory parenting classes for perspective parents; not getting a passing grade results in immediate sterilization. While we're at it, let's pass laws mandating reading bedtime stories and preschool. After all, if you don't do this you'll probably impair the mental development of your child.

Silly laws like this do nothing to prevent abuse. It is the brainchild of someone who apparently has no experience in raising children. The state has no business making laws regarding such personal aspects of people's lives.

Laws already exist to protect children from abuse. Enforce them. Don't criminalize thousands of years of collective human experience.

Answer 5

My, My the laws have come so far away from the laws of the Bible.
It is absolutely a crime to make spanking your child against the law and parents would have to pay a one thousand dollar fine?
The Bible says 'Withhold not the rod (correction) from the child lest they become a folly to their mothers. or Train up a child in the way he should go so that when he grows up he shall not depart from them.
If we don't teach our children well and that includes a spank now and then who will be boss or head of the house?
And we wonder why our children have no respect for others.
Due to laws like these.

Answer 6

I think that the government should just take everybody's kid when they are born, raise them, educate them and deduct money for the parents paycheck. When they are 22 then give them back to the parents. We would never have to worry about "child abuse" again.

Actually I think the government should keep their noses out of families business unless there exists REAL abuse. I was spanked at least every other day while growing up and I loved my parents and didn't turn into a Gay, Murderer, Bully or Wimp.

Answer 7

Its a bit much, and awfully "big brother" like to pass laws like this, but on the other hand, spanking kids is neanderthal and inhumane. Its the mark of a crappy parent with little skills. Laws like this would only work in a society that doesn't promote and accept violence like we do. Istn it a bit hypocritical? Look at our society. Besides, putting a parent in jail for spanking means putting them up on taxpayer dollars, and what happens to the kid? Foster care? Oh great! More taxpayer dollars spent, and the kid will be much more traumatized than if he got a smacked bottom. What a world!

Answer 8

What a load of crap!! I was caned at school when I deserved it, my parents gave me a clip around the ear if I deserved it, and I'm a normal, well adjusted human.
Telling parents how to raise their kids is another step on the road to a PC world where we cannot open our mouths or do anything without the fear of reprisals. Enough. Enough. Enough.

Answer 9

I personally was spanked as a kid, but I'm not sure if I will do that to my children. It was effective on me, but I've realized that healthy normal children have been raised without their parents having laid a hand on them. So I'm actually undecided.

Answer 10

this is just another sign of the end of the world. How did we let PC run amok so that we lose on rights. The idea that the government knows more than a parent is evidence of the problems with our system. I hope Arnold vetos the idea.