Do you think it's ethical for parents to spank their kids?

Question

California might be passing a law where parents won't be allowed to spank their kids. If a parent spanks their kids they will get a year in jail. This law hasn't been passed yet, but if it does, do you think it's ethical?

Answer 1

THAT'S WHY KIDS ARE SO OUT OF HAND. THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO STOP TELLING PEOPLE HOW TO RAISE THEIR CHILDREN. HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU SEEN UNRULY WILD KIDS THAT
SLAP AND SPIT AT THEIR PARENTS? THEIR PARENT JUST SAYS NOW STOP THAT OR YOU'LL BE IN TIME OUT. TIME OUT DOESN'T WORK PEOPLE. A SPANKING FROM TIME TO TIME WORKS. I'M NOT SAYING TO BEAT THE KID BUT IF THE KID FEARS THE SPANKING THEY WON'T DO HALF THE BAD CRAP THAT THEY DO, AND THEY GROW UP WITH A RESPECT FOR THEIR PARENTS AS THE LEADER. IT WORKED IN THE OLD DAYS I DON'T KNOW WHY THE GOVERNMENT CAN'T MIND THEIR BUSINESS WHEN IT COMES TO OUR KIDS. THEY AREN'T DOING A BETTER JOB. LOOK AT THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM OR THE CHILDRENS WELFARE SYSTEM NATION WIDE. IT'S FAILING . HOW CAN A FAILURE AT RAISING CHILDREN TELL YOU HOW TO RAISE YOUR KIDS?

Answer 2

Whose point of view do you wish to occupy? For some people it would be an ethical law because those people do not believe that striking a child in any way any time is ever appropriate punishment. Other people believe that it is sometimes necessary to apply the rod or spank a child in order to correct extremely abhorrent or aberrant acts of the child and often to correct them about dangerous behavior that might cause them harm. The question of the appropriateness of spanking has been debated for decades and there are still proponents of both positions. If spanking is excessive then there are already laws such as assault which apply, BTW. Since I personally, without even considering which of these positions is correct do not appreciate any law that 1. intrudes into private life of individuals or 2. simply mitigates the circumstances under which another extant and perfectly good law (assault) could be applied, I don't consider this a 'good' law. So I must call it unethical by the preponderate of evidence as I understand the situation.

Answer 3

A good swat or two on the butt is a spanking. Anything harder than a swat is not right and can be considered physical abuse. I am for spankings up to a certain age. It's a form of discipline. I spanked my children, once they were in grade school I no longer had to do any spankings. Then we turned spankings into grounding, like so many days away from a project they liked or so many days they had to come strait home from school and not visit or play with friends. My kids were never in trouble in or out of school nor have they been in any trouble with the law since they have been grown adults. When I went to school, teachers or the principal gave swats to students that misbehaved. Back then students didn't sass, or talk back to teachers either! And school rules were honored, whether we liked them or not. When my children went to school I signed a permission form every year they were in grade school that the principal could give them a swat if needed. But they were to call me when it had to be done, because if they needed a swat at school, they needed to be grounded at home. My children knew this and knew I would go through with my threat. So, they never got a swat at school. It's not a form of physical violence or physical abuse. If this be the case, then a slap on the hand would be considered physical abuse and violence as well. I would rather see a child receive a swat or slap on the hand, then see them hurt themselves from not minding or to see them grow up disrespectful of their elders, superiors, rules and regulations.

Answer 4

There is a vast distinction between parenting a child and abusing them. Why does any parent reprimand their kid? Is it to make them compliant and aware of the rules or to hurt them. One is fostered by the love the other selfishness. A free society only works when people respect and honor the laws because they are fair and honest to everyone's rights. You can pass any law you want but if it removes peoples right to choose for themselves and their family it is inherintly wrong. There are already laws on the books for people that go to far, enforce those. Leave other people alone to determine the best choice of directing their children. A swat on the butt is far better than having a small child cursing at his mother in a store or at other people when he does'nt get his way. I was raised with a heavy hand , I did'nt like it but I stayed out of trouble too. Do I use it on my kids, no, do I want a law that says I can't because I can't control my self No. This is America land of the Free or at least it used to be. When has the state or government ever done a better job at raising a child than the parents of a functional home?

Answer 5

I dont think it is an ethical question, but rather a question of teaching children the difference between right and wrong, and giving them a good start in life. i am from the UK, and over the last few years in this country we have seen a rise in 'yob' culture, especially within our youth population. This, in my opinion is a direct result of lax parenting, due to us living in a nanny state, controlled by Political Correctness. For too long the parents of our country have been told that spanking children is bad for them (the children), yet as a result, the children of today have alot less respect for their parents, and society as a whole. Im not saying that children should be spanked without cause, or heavily, but it is vital to make it clear to children the difference between right and wrong, sometimes words arent enough, and it takes a more forceful approach to install in them good ideals. So no, i dont think it is wrong to spank children, occasionally and with good reason it can have a positive effect.

Answer 6

I was spanked as a child, it was very rare and done with care. As my kids were growing up, I tried really hard not to spank them, but on certain occasions when they won't listen and they are endangering themselves, you have to do what you have to do. Spanking with love is not unethical. I think if the child is old enough to understand when told no, then a well placed swat is OK. If they are too young to understand, it's abuse. Also, I believe that if marks are left, it was too severe.

Just an additional thought. Has anyone noticed how much more kids are out of control now than they were even 20 years ago? Teachers can't do anything with them, and there are more and more incidents of teens in trouble with the law. My personal opinion is that it all started with the anti-spanking, anti-punishment movement. The Bible says...spare the rod and spoil the child....I believe that we are to control our own kids, it's our job, not the teachers or the police's place to do it.

Answer 7

I think it is okay to spank a 4-7-year-old every 10 days or so unless the kid is very well-behaved then it is only needed every month. But the law is extreme. Maybe if the kid cries to someone saying that there parents spank them every day, then a $350 fine would be reasonable.

Answer 8

I was spanked as a youngster in the way it is supposed to be done.It did not justify violence in my way of thinking.Those of you yuppie beansprout tofu yogurt fartin fairies this time out thing is not working and lets your kids know that there is no punishment for bad behavoir.My kids got spankings and they are very respectful of mom and dad and know how much they are loved.
There is a fine line between a spanking and abuse that must never be crossed and if it is then this is a crime and should be treated as such.California stands out in anything it does and I am sure it is a nice place but I have lost nothing there.

Answer 9

No I don't this would be ethical. The people in California who are trying to pass that bill need a good spanking. Of course kids need a firm spanking to re-enforce verbal commands.

Answer 10

I would still discipline my child, no matter what law the government will pass. I would never beat my child, but, do find at times discipline must be initiated, in a manner with meaning, so your child will know what and why they are being disciplined for.

Spare the Rod and Spoil the Child...

Its better to keep your child in a state of responsibility, or parents will suffer the consequences when a child turns bad. Drugs, crime, and gangs, then the law will blame the parents for the childs so called-bad upbringing...not fair!