Do you think what the judge said was right? I personally don't think so..I think if it really did leave bruises like it says in the article then that is wrong.. I am all for spanking but not if it will leave marks and bruises.

MIAMI (WSVN) -- Police have arrested a father for allegedly abusing his son over bad grades.

Loscar Rodriguez, 30, argues he was simply disciplining his son, and the judge who let him go on $5,000 bond seemed to agree. "Spanking never hurt anybody," said Judge Fred Seraphin at Rodriguez's hearing.

Police charged Rodriguez with aggravated child abuse for beating his 8-year-old son with a belt because his son received bad grades in school.

During the bond hearing, Seraphin noted he thought Rodriguez's actions were probably not abuse and possibly even justified. "If he hit him with the buckle or a baseball bat or something like that and there were injuries, but a welt from a belt?" said the judge. "It's supposed to leave a mark, so you remember to get your work done."

On Monday Rodriguez's son told a school nurse that his bottom hurt too much to sit down at his desk. A school official saw a bruise on the boy's leg and called authorities. Coral Gables police examined the child and found more marks on his buttocks.

Though the Seraphin seems to think there's nothing wrong with spanking a child for disciplinary reasons, he did rule that Rodriguez could not have any contact with his son until further notice. The boy's mother will likely come down from Chicago to pick him up, pending the trial.

http://www1.wsvn.com/news/articles/local/MI63660/

In a way, I agree, spanking is needed sometimes, but I dont think he should have had marks so bad he couldnt sit down. Being red afterwards is one thing, but the next day is a bit extreme.

I think it is ok to smack a child with an open hand on their butt.
I don't think it is ok to use some other object to hit them with, nor is it ok to leave bruises or welts.

In a way, I agree, spanking is needed sometimes, but I dont think he should have had marks so bad he couldnt sit down. Being red afterwards is one thing, but the next day is a bit extreme.

I think it is ok to smack a child with an open hand on their butt.
I don't think it is ok to use some other object to hit them with, nor is it ok to leave bruises or welts.

i agree with y'all

I agree that spanking (by my standards) never hurt anybody...but beating is a different story. I think if it leaves a mark, it was a beating, and I think that beating a child over poor grades is not only counterproductive, but very confusing to the child. How about addressing the root of the problem with the grades. Does the kid need to spend more time doing homework? Maybe less time on the PS2? Does he need to eat a balanced breakfast - or maybe have his learning process evaluated?

IMO - spankings are saved for when your child does something dangerous or stupid and they KNOW it's stupid, intentionally pushing their boundries. Like ignoring repeated requests to stop standing on the chairs, like jumping on the bed after being told repeatedly not to. But when it comes to something like grades, I think the root of the problem should be addressed. A kid may say "Wow - I'm not going to jump on the bed, last time mom spanked my butt and that sucked." but I don't know how realistic it is that a kid would say "I'm going to learn spelling better, last time I didn't do good and I got a spanking..." Nevermind the fact that the poor kid is suffering from ADHD or dyslexia, or maybe has problems with his eyes and can't see the board from the back of the class.

Ohhhhhh let's hear it for Becca's soapbox. :onsoapbox

I agree that spanking (by my standards) never hurt anybody...but beating is a different story. I think if it leaves a mark, it was a beating, and I think that beating a child over poor grades is not only counterproductive, but very confusing to the child. How about addressing the root of the problem with the grades. Does the kid need to spend more time doing homework? Maybe less time on the PS2? Does he need to eat a balanced breakfast - or maybe have his learning process evaluated?

IMO - spankings are saved for when your child does something dangerous or stupid and they KNOW it's stupid, intentionally pushing their boundries. Like ignoring repeated requests to stop standing on the chairs, like jumping on the bed after being told repeatedly not to. But when it comes to something like grades, I think the root of the problem should be addressed. A kid may say "Wow - I'm not going to jump on the bed, last time mom spanked my butt and that sucked." but I don't know how realistic it is that a kid would say "I'm going to learn spelling better, last time I didn't do good and I got a spanking..." Nevermind the fact that the poor kid is suffering from ADHD or dyslexia, or maybe has problems with his eyes and can't see the board from the back of the class.
Ohhhhhh let's hear it for Becca's soapbox. :onsoapbox

I agree with that completely. Used to when my kids were younger i only spanked them if they did stuff that was life threatning, now, its more for pushing boundrys..

i personally only spank my kids if they have done something really bad, and really need a lesson taught to them. I always use my hand never anything else. And I always end up crying more than my child.
i dont see anything wrong with spankings, but like patteronsgal said, objects such as a belt shouldn't be used. thats just too much. spanking are to get a point across not to physically harm your child.

just adding my two cents worth: i agree with y'all! spanking has its place, but in a very limited capacity, age and aggravation appropriate

I'm pretty sure I could never spank a kid. I was never spanked as a kid, and the only association I really have with spanking is an ummmmm...adult, sexual one :blush Which automatically puts it in the category of things I wouldn't do to kids!

I would not spank with a belt for poor grades- but I don't think the Dad broke a law.

I would not spank with a belt for poor grades- but I don't think the Dad broke a law.

You really don't think there's anything illegal about :quote spanking :quote your child to the point that he has marks and bruises from it left over the next day? You don't think there's anything illegal about injuring your child to the point that he can't comfortably sit down to learn?

I'm not trying to sound snarky, really...but could you clarify that for me? Because personally I see a WHOLE LOT wrong with it, and I think pops got lucky that day when it comes to who was sitting on the bench.

:sadeyes
:no

Somebody hits ME hard enough to leave a mark, it's called assault & battery.

The Dad was perfectly within his rights to discipline his child with a belt. It wasn't child abuse.

I think this is where the law needs to butt out, personally. Everyone disciplines their children differently, and its also my opinion that this is why kids today are the way they are: No discipline.

You can discipline your child - even with a belt, WITHOUT LEAVING RESIDUAL BRUISES THE NEXT DAY.

Wow.

I think it's time for me to back out of this one.

You really don't think there's anything illegal about :quote spanking :quote your child to the point that he has marks and bruises from it left over the next day? You don't think there's anything illegal about injuring your child to the point that he can't comfortably sit down to learn?

I'm not trying to sound snarky, really...but could you clarify that for me? Because personally I see a WHOLE LOT wrong with it, and I think pops got lucky that day when it comes to who was sitting on the bench.

:sadeyes
:no

Somebody hits ME hard enough to leave a mark, it's called assault & battery.

Yes,Becca. You make a very good point. I do happen to agree with you. However, legally the father was probably within his "rights" as the parent. I started googling and found this book online- very interesting
Beating the Devil Out of Them: Corporal Punishment in American Families and ... By Murray Arnold Straus

http://books.google.com/books?id=ERbQbNk2rDgC&dq=corporal+punishment+and+child+rearing&pg=PA14&ots=SwO7lkHlJm&sig=0jeKcPLBZEyAd0dZZ4XzbMhRYQU&prev=http://www.google.com/search%3Fq%3Dcorporal%2Bpunishment%2Band%2Bchild%2Brearing%26sourceid%3Die7%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:en-US%26ie%3Dutf8%26oe%3Dutf8&sa=X&oi=print&ct=result&cd=1#PPA13,M1

personally, i feel spanking a child is wrong. i understand why some parents do it so i wont object (so long as the child isnt left with bruises and marks-especially the NEXT day) but in my mind, associating BAD BEHAVIOR with PAIN makes me feel the child will learn not only 'dont do this or i will get spanked' but also 'they did something bad, i should hurt them'
again, i understand WHY some parents spank, i myself was spanked. but it doesnt make sense to me to associate pain with bad behavior. i prefer time out methods and the taking away of fun things for a while.
JMO