The Spanking Debate in the USA?

Question

I have on and off again heard about spanking children in the United States becomming illegal. Although I have never had to spank, I am still curious if any states have made it illegal yet and where the law lies.

Please respond with facts or personal experience only...we've all heard about stories where your neighbors-boyfriends-cousin's baby momma went to jail for spanking her child, but I do find that hard to believe that someone would go to jail for a loving and correctly given spanking that resulted in no permanant injury.

Where I am not against spanking, I believe the strongest form of discipline is teaching by example, with love. I find too often that the words discipline and punishment are used interchangeably although they mean two different things.

Thank you and I appreciate your input.

Please try to answer the question I am asking as I am truly curious to it. Thank you.

Answer 1

I was warned by a CPS worker for swatting my angry step-daughter on the thigh when she was trying to kick my pregnant wife in the belly. I did not even leave any mark, and it was one quick swat which got her attention. She was 12 years old at the time. California has a whole lot of wacky ideas about this although it is not illegal to spank with the hand on the buttocks, a person can be jailed for less. I personally know a family from South-east Asia...one of their children was born with red splotchy birthmarks that resemble welts. The child, when 2 or 3 years old had been throwing a temper tantrum to get candy, the parent swatted their child on the thigh to get his attention. An off duty correctional officer arrested the parents. The parents had to pay fines, and the father had to spend some time in jail, even with the pediatrician's notes regarding the nature of the birthmarks. This happened in the Sacramento area about 13 years ago. The loving and correctly given spanking is 100% subject to interpretation and exaggeration.
In public education, especially in California, we the teachers are basically forced to teach the children to call CPS or the police if a child is unhappy that they are being told what to do by their parents. Particularly if the parent raises his or her voice...that is considered emotional abuse and threatening gestures. It happens, and is a fact. So why do we wonder about the increase in prison and jail population when our public education system enforces the raising of incorrigible children?

Answer 2

At the rick of being labled a religious nut I would like to point out that the bible makes several references to spanking children including "He that spareth the rod Hates his children but he that loves him chastens betimes". Spanking need not be an all the time thing and should NEVER be administered in anger. I find that just the possibility of a spanking is enough to keep at least my kids on the straight and narrow. I'm getting to the point where good behavior is habitual and that my kids want to mind and be good because I have taken the time to concequent my kids for their poor choices including spanking when needed. That's what works for me take it for what it's worth, my opinion

Jason

Answer 3

Growing up, I had to deal with a father with bad anger problems. I barely saw my mother and father because they worked so much. The times I did see my father he would come home tired and irritated. If he came home and toys were on the floor, I would get spanked. It wasn't just one swat, it was multiple times that would feel like you were being ripped open. All of my father's anger and frustration was like a time bomb, and he would always take it out on my siblings and me. You shouldn't have to tell your 4 year old brother to hide under a table as soon as daddy comes home.
I was humiliated during my 9th birthday party when my dad had to beat me because there was a cellophane cheese snack wrapper on the floor. When I let my new puppy sit on the couch with me, he smacked the dog so hard she stayed under my bed for 2 days. The abuse just escalated.
I never mouthed off, I never played with toys because I was afraid my own father would hit me, I did everything I was told. Sooner or later I would make one little mistake and I would "get what was coming" as he liked to put it. Eventually I wrote my mother a letter telling her how much I hated my father, and how much pain, anguish, and confusion he caused me. We were out of the house the next day.
I am very grateful the physical abuse didn't land me in a coma.
In high school I dated guys in college. I tell all of my friends I was raised by a single mother, and my dad was never in the picture. To this day I don't talk to him. Hitting your children only leads to problems down the road.
It's a parent's responsibility to ensure their children behave before they result to spanking. It's a feeling that is not only painful, but violating. I have a much better relationship with my mother because she taught me responsibility the right way. You teach your children through love, not fear.

Answer 4

California is trying to push something through. It's rediculous. Parents need to be able to punish kids the way they want, within reason. I'm not saying beat the kids up, but a tap on the butt never hurt anyone.

Answer 5

This is why kids are out of control and have no respect. They know they can get away with anything because their parents aren't disciplining them. Smack the sh't out of the little bastards! To a point, of course.

Answer 6

If you spank your kids to get your point across, you are ineffective at communication.
If you spank your kids as punishment, you lack problem solving skills.
People who hit children in any situation are ignorant

Answer 7

yes