What do you think of the new proposed child spanking law?

Question

I think spanking your child is perfectly okay...my mom disciplined me like that, and I turned out okay. What is your opinion?

I can say one thing...my parents definetly did not do it out of anger...they were good, Christian parents, so I don't think all parents do it from this. I would try other alternatives first, but I don't like the fact that they are restricting the options. They want to give kids medication for everything, but they don't want to allow the parents to PROPERLY discipline.....not abuse. I would NEVER advocate abuse.

Ok, so I definetly like the discussion that has ensued...here are my personal thoughts on some of the comments so far...
I definetly do NOT believe in spanking a child under 2...a slap on the hand for a 1 yr. old MAYBE
For some children, nothing works BUT spanking...
I am not saying that kids who are spanked don't misbehave...it is CONSISTENCY that counts more than the punishment itself

As for the smoking analogy, that to me did not make a lot of sense...
"Turning out fine" is a relative term...it can mean a variety of things, but lung cancer (the extreme of smoking) is specific. Also, lung cancer is just ONE of the long term effects of smoking, and letting kids smoke is not something that has happened for YEARS by good parents...
Also, smoking is an addiction, and spanking is not.
*****spanking is okay in my book if it is done in the correct way, and for the correct thing.
Most kids who were abused as children dont turn out ok- it isnt the same w/ spanking-most kids are ok.

Answer 1

If you are speaking about the proposed CA law...it has been dropped by the idiot that proposed it in the first place. Under the proposal, the law would have prohibitted parents from spanking thier children. Who was going to enforce that law?? Once again the people who get elected think they have "power" to do what they want.

Answer 2

I believe there are times when spanking is appropriate and times they aren't. I understand the idea that you shouldn't stop violence with violence. But there are times such as when a little one tries to run out in the road, that the best way to get the seriousness of the situation into the tots mind is through a spanking. A 2 or 3 year old is not going to understand a rational conversation about not running into the street. They are going to remember that they got spanked when they did that and they should not do that again. As a education major I've taken many early childhood psychology classes and people think that toddlers have much more complex thinking skills than they truely have. A child of that age has a mind much like a caveman, they understand their basic needs but do not understand much beyond that.

I don't think spanking is necessary in all situations though, just the ones that are serious in nature involving the child or another person's well being.

As for the abusive parents, that is going to happen whether or not there is a law about spanking.

Answer 3

Hey Smarti, now that's a hard question. I've raised three children with the first two getting the occasional spanking on the b hind when required. The third son was never spanked. I don't see any appreciable difference in their behaviour that could be contributed to the spanking (no) spanking thing. Basically I believe that no one has the right to hit anyone else and that includes parents. There are much better ways to get your children to respond positively. It's a great debate though.

Answer 4

saying "I was spanked and I turned out fine" really is a poor way of looking at it. For example, 75% of people who smoke do NOT get lung cancer. Does that mean we should teach our children to smoke? Furthermore, it does not take into account many hidden effects of spanking, such as lower IQ; fear of parents; not understanding WHAT to do--only what not to do; not learning the right way to do things, only to not get caught; a slight tendency toward more aggressiveness (which does not mean punching every child in sight, or even getting into a lot of physical fights); and has been shown through study after study to be one of the most ineffective long-term forms of discipline. Among other reasons I don't have time to go into.

Do I advocate discipline? Most definitely! Firm, consistent discipline is what kids need. Do I agree with the law? Yes and no. I think spanking is often (NOT always!!!) an excuse for lazy parenting, and just because your parents never did it out of anger does not mean that 99% of other parents don't either. Most parents, relying on that as one of the main forms of discipline, will at least at one point spank their child in anger (and in MY opinion, that is when it turns into abuse, although I know 99.9% of people disagree with me). On the other hand, I think there are a few times where spanking is appropriate, mainly when a child is in danger and you need to get their attention fast, lest some other greater harm befall them (ie, pulling a hot pan of water off the stove, crossing a busy street without looking, etc).

It may not be popular, but it is a well thought out and my opinion, which is what was asked.

Answer 5

There is nothing wrong with spanking a child in a disciplinary fashion. It is teaching them that there are consequences to misbehaving, just like in the real world. Timeouts arent effective because the child will learn to just wait for the 5 minutes to be over, and then go back and do the same thing again. If you spank the child, they will always remember the feeling of getting smacked on the bottom every time they think about doing something bad.

Answer 6

I think that you will find that the LOUD minority is very much against spanking your child. As a child, I was occasionally spanked, and everybody that I knew as a child were spanked. We're not talking about beatings here. I am a very compassionate and caring father, and my children are pretty good for the most part. There have been occasions where a slap on the butt was called for (and given).
Legislation to prevent spankings would be counterproductive. Regardless on what side of the issue you are on, it would create a law that would be nearly impossible to enforce.
There are laws that safeguard children today, and when enforced, they protect the child properly. A child that is abused , or had been abused would not be saved by a new law. They will be saved by a solid enforcement of he existing laws.

Answer 7

In Germany, a statute says this on the project: "toddlers have a superb to being stated with out violence. Corporal punishment, the infliction of psychological harm and different measures violating the honor of the newborn are impermissible." Sounds good, would not it? whether it leaves open the question of no remember if spanking qualifies as "corporal punishment" (which it ought to or won't, watching the intensity, age of the newborn, and so on.) and if so, no remember if there should be a definite ingredient of "violating the honor" to make it impermissible. So - do not ever get the legal experts in contact in this subject. Assaulting a individual is unlawful everywhere, wisely, yet any functional determine (and cop or choose, if it includes that) is conscious the version between assaulting a newborn and extremely disciplining her or him.

Answer 8

I was spanked, though rarely, as a child, and only when I had done something dangerous, had already been chastised verbally for it, and failed to pay attention.

And we have spanked our daughter two or three times (she's 2). But only in the same circumstances that I was spanked in.

We realize how quickly it can turn to abuse, and also feel that hitting is NOT the solution to everything. But when you have persistently told your child that they are NOT to run toward the street, and they ignore you and wait until you've got your hands full to try it again, I fail to see how one swift pop to the BOTTOM is abuse. Note I said ONE.

We also leave punishment up to the parents - so if I've got my nephew, and he's really acting up, I set him in silence on the couch and give him a minute or two to collect our thoughts, then have a conversation with him about how we'll be talking to his mom when she gets back about his behavior. I also let him know that said behavior is not allowed in my house, and that until he can get his act together, we won't be having visits at my house.

But I've not heard about any "child spanking law"

Answer 9

I asked a similar question a few days ago, I do agree with you

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AkEKR4ZLFspEXkvFTYDLneLsy6IX?qid=20070224030735AAMzA31

I still would vote it down. If you want to take out the section which makes it illegal to use a implement, and define what a "deadly weapon" is fine, everything else I agree with. I know parents who use paddles, and belts. They are doing a fine job, with wonderfully behaved children. I will not support a bill which limits their ability to parent. I also won't support a bill which involves more government intrusion in our lives. We have a law on the books which defines abuse as permanent marks left (bruises, welts, blisters) other then temporary redness. This is A-OK by me, and the way the law should stay.

I will try and find a link, however I heard this bill was motivated by a man who's 15 month old daughter was killed by a babysitter, who shook her to death. Now really, what does that have to do with parental controlled spanking???? Please someone answer me that.

I agree with Randy Thomasson (bottom of article)
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/16765731.htm?source=rss

Also, it's not a restriction under the age of 2, it's under 3, which is a huge difference. Here is the bill in full

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/07-08/bill/asm/ab_0751-0800/ab_755_bill_20070222_introduced.html

Answer 10

I think that spanking (meaning open hand on the bottom) should be legal. I was spanked as a child and know that 99% of the time I deserved the spanking. Children need discipline and they need to know that there a consequences. I spanked my own girls (as described above). Mostly from the ages 2-5 yrs. I was consistant, before the spanking we discussed why they were getting the spanking. By the time they were 5 I usually only had to say if you do that again you will get a spanking. They knew that I meant it and usually chose not to do it again. As they got older loss of priveledges worked better.

Answer 11

Not sure of the new law as I am not in the usa.
I do think other methods are much more effective at times. Strong willed children may need a few spanks on the bum now and then. You can probably get some good information on this subject, from Dr. Scott His public question and answers email is [e-mail] We use him often.
Good Luck.