Why is spanking children acceptable in the US but in Britain and Ireland its considered child abuse?

Question

personally i wouldnt spank my children,and im not trying to upset people who do, im just curious.

im actually not 100% sure what the law on spanking is over here, as far as i know, its illegal to spank children, but dont quote me on that, also i didnt mean to generalise, i apologuise, i know it differs person to person rather country to country, but i know that over here it would be shocking to see someone raise a hand to their child.

Answer 1

Honestly, I see far more child abuse (neglect, spanking, etc) here in Ireland than I've ever seen in North America (My home land is Canada and spanking is so very unheard of where I am from).

I think all forms of child abuse should be illegal, and not only illegal but have greater concequences.

Answer 2

I would have to agree it is cultural differences, they have about 1000 year head start so we are not doing to bad. I was not aware that it was child abuse there (are you sure?) regardless I'm not against or for spanking, I know as a child I got the "paddle" when I was bad, and I learned quite quickly. However my sister did not get spanked (Daddy's little girl). I have 3 kids now, 2 older girls and they have been spanked 2 times in 9 years, the little guy is only 16 months so of course he receives no spankings. I think its acceptable here because of our way of life, we are a very reactive culture, and not very proactive. Alot of families were raised in the industry driven days when times were hard, so there wasn't time for a slow learning process, just get it now and don't do it again mentalities. This of course has changed in the last 20 years (along with just about everything else) and we are more and more learning better ways to be proactive, and educate our children in a non violent manner. We are learning to teach the Hows and Why of life, rather than using discipline to teach. I again dont think anything is wrong with spanking, as long as it is not the only tool to educate the child.

Answer 3

No one is saying to BEAT your child, or abuse them. Here it is acceptable until you atrt using objects or leaving marks. I would NEVER beat my aughter. But I have given her a well deserved spanking. Nothing abusive or negligent. I will smack her hand if she smacks me, I will tap her mouth if she bites me. I give her the number 3 rule. First time is a warning, 2nd time is a timeout, 3rd time is a well deserved spanking. I think there are points when just YELLING at your chilld won't do it and you need to let them know that its NOT okay to act however you want. Say whatever you want of me or to me, but I love my daughter and she dearly loves me :-) the spanks i give her don't leave her in tears for hours, actually only minutes if even that. She learns and I don't have to do it again becuase she knows mommy will give her a spanking. Its not bad as lnog is your child is developmentally healthy and as long as it doesn't turn into abuse.

Answer 4

My thought was that the US frowns upon physical discipline and most of the European countries are tolerating the spankings.
I'm from Germany and kids get spanked in the public for acting up, disrespecting other people etc and I have to say that kids there are far more respectful at home and in school because they know better. You don't hear much of violence in schools and other places. I'm not a big believer in spankings because I grew up in a violent household but I do believe that if there is a legitimate reason that a spanking is warranted!!

PS: THANKS BRANDY

Answer 5

there is a difference between spanking your child to get their attention and beating the tar out of them. a quick pat on the butt is not child abuse. i spank my child, but only when absolutely necessary, and when all other attempts at deterance, time out, reasoning...etc. have failed. spanking is a last resort, not a first option or reaction, and he is always talked to afterwards so he knows i love him and so that he understands why he got a spanking...that what he was doing was wrong and he wouldn't listen. parents need to grow up and be parents and quit trying to be friends with their kids. you're not there to be friends with them.....they need structure and discipline. that's where the bullies and kids who shoot their classmates come from. a generation of parents trying to befriend their child instead of give them limits. you never heard about that one generation before us, whom, btw were spanked. geez i am so tired of this whole debate.

Answer 6

Lady,wish you well! It's shocking to me anywhere to raise a hand to a child, I don't like it, but have seen it in public a number of time which I don't care about. In the states there isn't laws tough enough I think, Child abuse is happening everywhere here. And the parents or others involved are examples in the family, but isn't working too well. Jimmy.

Answer 7

I think it is more acceptable socially because Americans are far more concerned with how things appear to others (she says as she waits for the many "thumbs down" to follow).
When I'm in the US, I often see young children spanked in public for behavior that doesn't really warrant it, which leads me to believe the parent is doing it for the benefit of others.
OTOH here in Switzerland, parents let their kids get away with all kinds of crap in public, but you'd better believe it gets straightened out at home.

Answer 8

Is it considered child abuse there? I am curious...do you have any citation for that? I am not a spanker either, but I am curious.
Anyway, if that is the case, I'd chalk it up to cultural differences. A lot of things are abusive to us that are legal in other countries/cultures (femal circumcism being a dramatic example of this) are not in the U.S.

Answer 9

Well then Britian and Ireland would hate me because if it is needed then I am spanking my children. I'm sorry to them but it is sometimes it's something that is necessary.

Answer 10

It's not acceptable to all American parents, just like it's not unacceptable to all British and Irish parents. Avoid generalizing. It leads to stereotyping, which seldom yields wisdom.