In your opinion, do you think spanking should be against the law?

I've always wondered why spanking is legal but if you touch any other human being, you can be arrested for it (for assault or whatever else) and that never quite made sense to me.

We do occasionally spank, though we've been trying to move away from that for several reasons. So, I'm not totally opposed to spanking or anything. I have just not ever really understood why the law says spanking our child is okay but spanking another adult :eek is not :lol

Then again, I guess there is a big difference between it being someone we're the parent of versus someone who is not our child. Still kind of confusing why one would be allowed and the other wouldn't though...

Nope. There were times growing up where a pop on the behind was necessary and deserved.

No.

Spanking isn't assaulting a child. It should be done in a manner of love in order to correct and teach. Assault is when you're angry and violent. There also shouldn't ever be lasting physical pain from a spanking. Its pretty temporary.

No. I think it's a parenting decision that is up to each couple. I was spanked once and mannnnnnnn do I remember that. I don't think I could be the type that does it on a regular occasion.

I don't think it should be against the law,but in my personal opinion spanking should be used as a last resort punishment. Not the first thing. I hate when parents spank their kids for every little minor thing.

Nope. There were times growing up where a pop on the behind was necessary and deserved.

:yes :agree Although I haven't spanked my kids in forever, they have gotten it on a few occasions.

I believe that people are afraid to spank their kids for fear of someone calling CPS is a reason we have so many problems with disrespectful kids now. I think spanking used correctly can be an effective and safe form of discipline, so no, I do not think it should be illegal

I got spanked a LOT as a kid, but I think that was overboard. But do I think it should be illegal? Absolutely not! But I also don't think that the government should play a big part in how you raise your kids, either.... unless they NEED to intervene, then obviously, I have no problem with it.

As long as you don't hurt the kid. Spanking is more emotionally wounding than anything (or at least I think its supposed to be), so don't hurt anyone, and don't get carried away, and I think its fine.

I have to tell you that they were, or are, trying to make it against the law here in CT, and DD had heard this and said to daddy that he wasn't going to be able to spank her anymore. He said the RI border is only 5 minutes away. :lmao

Spanking isn't assaulting a child. It should be done in a manner of love in order to correct and teach. Assault is when you're angry and violent. There also shouldn't ever be lasting physical pain from a spanking. Its pretty temporary.

A lot of parents probably do spank out of love in when they are fairly calm, but I am willing to bet that a LOT (maybe even most, or at least a good percentage) spank out of frustration, anger and do leave lingering pain (in other words, more than just one soft pop on the rear). So, while I do agree with you about how spanking SHOULD happen, a lot of times it does not happen like that, and it's still not against the law. You're allowed to spank your child out of frustration, you're allowed to spank out of anger. You're allowed to leave lingering pain. Not excruciating (otherwise this starts falling into the abuse category) but it's not against the law to do these things.

So, my question was why do you think it's not against the law to spank like that versus hitting another adult? :dunno

I don't think it should be against the law,but in my personal opinion spanking should be used as a last resort punishment. Not the first thing. I hate when parents spank their kids for every little minor thing.

:yes

I do want to add, I'm only playing a sort of devil's advocate here, so please don't take my questions as me putting down parents who spank. We have spanked before, we still do on occasion. So, I am not against it. I just think it's strange that it's okay to "spank" (essentially "hit") a child, but not another adult. It's weird to me.

We dont spank but joe has a nephew that needs it!!

spanking is open handed and hitting is usually closed fisted and intending to maliciously harm the person

I don't think it should be against the law persae but we don't really spank at all. Josh will pop Jer's hiney (open handed swat on the behind fully clothed) and it barealy phases him anyways just pisses him off more. I don't do it at all anymore because I have found with Jerron taking things he loves(tv time/games/toys) works more affectively. But I have never spanked as in more than 1 swat on the hiney at a time.

Before we had kids we didn't think it was a good thing. Since having kids, we have found it is neccessary and warranted. When a state steps in and rules that spanking is not allowed and is against the law, they need to be prepared to have parents drive to these lawmakers homes and hand the child over for 24 hours and see for themselves that spanking is needed. There is a difference between spanking and abuse, a big difference. I know several kids around where I live that really need it and obviously are not getting spanked

spanking is open handed and hitting is usually closed fisted and intending to maliciously harm the person

i think it has a lot to do with intent.

I don't think it should be against the law
but there is a line where it becomes abuse

I don't have any children so I cant give a parents perspective
but has a child that was spanked I think it did effect my relationship with my parents
I am almost afraid to go to them with my problems
I still get scared of my dad when he gets really mad even though i havent
been spanked since i was like 6....
I know when I have kids there are a lot of things I want to do differntly

No. because sometimes spanking is warranted IMO, now there is a HUGE difference in a little pop meant to scare the kid for doing something horribly unsafe, and beating a kid senseless for no reason.

We have laws to deal with child abusers, and as CPS happy as people in this country all ready are for things that get blown out of proportion, I DO NOT think we need more laws that govern how I may, or may not parent my child (in the future) :dunno

A lot of parents probably do spank out of love in when they are fairly calm, but I am willing to bet that a LOT (maybe even most, or at least a good percentage) spank out of frustration, anger and do leave lingering pain (in other words, more than just one soft pop on the rear). So, while I do agree with you about how spanking SHOULD happen, a lot of times it does not happen like that, and it's still not against the law. You're allowed to spank your child out of frustration, you're allowed to spank out of anger. You're allowed to leave lingering pain. Not excruciating (otherwise this starts falling into the abuse category) but it's not against the law to do these things.

So, my question was why do you think it's not against the law to spank like that versus hitting another adult? :dunno

Sure, unfortunately not everyone does the right thing for the right reasons or the appropriate way. But I would say that the majority of parents do spank for the right reasons most of the time.

Plus, making something against the law opens a huge can of worms. Child abuse is already against the law. So how would we make a law that spanking is okay but just not with the wrong intent? Who would monitor that and determine who was right and who was wrong?

Clearly that can't be done so spanking would have to be entirely outlawed. Well then the minority (those who misuse spanking) would be dictating the majority (those who use it as corrective tool). That's not right. Laws are (generally) supposed to apply to the good of the majority.

Again, child abuse is outlawed. So children are theoretically protected. Unfortunately this will always be an imperfect world and sometimes children will be spanked the wrong way. Clearly, that is awful. However, again, the small minority can't dictate the majority.

I don't think spanking should be against the law, no.

I personally think it should. I dislike when I see a 2 year old getting spanked in public. it's so sad and just breaks my heart!
But, I do reliaze that it's up to the parents

I believe that, yes, spanking should be against the law. :yes IMO there are better ways to discipline children without using spanking. I understand that it works differently here in the States but I hate to see any child get spanked for any reason. It is illegal in Germany and has been since the 60s I believe.

A lot of parents probably do spank out of love in when they are fairly calm, but I am willing to bet that a LOT (maybe even most, or at least a good percentage) spank out of frustration, anger and do leave lingering pain (in other words, more than just one soft pop on the rear). So, while I do agree with you about how spanking SHOULD happen, a lot of times it does not happen like that, and it's still not against the law. You're allowed to spank your child out of frustration, you're allowed to spank out of anger. You're allowed to leave lingering pain. Not excruciating (otherwise this starts falling into the abuse category) but it's not against the law to do these things.

So, my question was why do you think it's not against the law to spank like that versus hitting another adult? :dunno

Generally, when someone hits another adult the intention is to inflict pain. Spanking a child should not be with the intention to cause pain, like most have said, and if it were meant to be specifically harmful, then I think that crosses the line into abuse. A spank really should just be a "soft pop on the rear," which is harmless and therefore there's no reason for it to be illegal. However, if a person uses "spanking" as an excuse to beat their child, than it's really not spanking at all and they should have their own asses kicked! :D JMO. My parents gave me a light spank here and there, and I think it honestly worked because it definitely taught me which actions were completely unacceptable. And of course they always preceeded it with, "this hurts me more than it hurts you!" :P I guess my point is that there's a fine line between spanking and beating, and I think spanking is legal because it's quite different from beating or hitting an adult. :dunno Hope that made sense...

I believe that, yes, spanking should be against the law. :yes IMO there are better ways to discipline children without using spanking. I understand that it works differently here in the States but I hate to see any child get spanked for any reason. It is illegal in Germany and has been since the 60s I believe.

I agree. There is no reason for spanking.

I believe in small swats here and there IF warranted...My DH was spanked weekly as a child and has a shitty relationship with his mother...We are totally different than she is.

I think the government is in too much of our lives as it is they can't tell us how to raise our kids too unless they want tons of kids running around acting like they have absolutely no respect.

A child can be raised with great respect and a well rounded person without being spanked.

A child can be raised with great respect and a well rounded person without being spanked.

That may be true. BUT that doesn't mean that parents shouldn't be allowed to spank if that is the best method to raise their child.

I was spanked as a kid and it served its purpose, I learned fromit, I moved on and here I am. No real lasting harm

A child can be raised with great respect and a well rounded person without being spanked.

I agree with you, I am working so hard on DH to get over what he went through.

I think the government is in too much of our lives as it is they can't tell us how to raise our kids too unless they want tons of kids running around acting like they have absolutely no respect.

Just because a child is spanked does not mean that he or she will grow up not respecting anyone or anything. If a child grows up that way it has other reasons besides not having been spanked,

I don't think spanking is ever warranted. I do think it should be illegal. I can control my kids just fine without hitting them. Go me!

I believe that people are afraid to spank their kids for fear of someone calling CPS is a reason we have so many problems with disrespectful kids now. I think spanking used correctly can be an effective and safe form of discipline, so no, I do not think it should be illegal

I totally agree with this. Society in general has gotten to where any form of discipline against a child is looked at as a loss of control, when in all reality, the children are controlling the parents. "Spank me and I will call CPS" is what I often here. So parents just let kids run wild and do whatever they feel like, then it just gets worse as they get older.
I am by no means condoning spanking as a regular means of punishment, but I think that parents should be allowed to reasonably discipline thier kids without fear of jail.

I don't spank- I think there are other ways of disciplining that are more effective than spanking, which provides more of a short-term obedience than long-term- the child learning how to not get caught, etc, rather than learning why they need to obey...providing external motivation rather than internal. JMO- although I'm sure if the situation called for it I may find it necessary or appropriate to spank. I do not think it should be illegal though, and feel that it should be left to the parents' discretion if done appropriately.

I do spank but that is just MY parenting way. I don't spank my children on a regular basis. Only when it is warranted by a large NO NO.

I know a lot are against it and that is their prerogative.

well, I think everyone has a different opinion on what "spanking" is... used properly it can be helpful I think, time-out and talking to the kid doesn't always work... it deffinately shouldn't be illegal, no... it's everyone's own preference as to how to dicipline their child (within reason) No, people shouldn't go around beating their children and I do belive that no object other than a bare hand should ever be used to spank a child in any case.

No

I will spank if needed. A lot of kids could use a swatting on the butt.

no i dont think it should be illeagel.. we spank only when my son is doingsomething that will harm him. but its always last resort.. we do time out all the time works wonders but sometimes it just doesnt do it so we spank. i cry everytime i do though so its not only hurting him but me too :teehee im such a baby..

I believe that, yes, spanking should be against the law. :yes IMO there are better ways to discipline children without using spanking. I understand that it works differently here in the States but I hate to see any child get spanked for any reason. It is illegal in Germany and has been since the 60s I believe.

Yes , the same as in Sweden.
I never spanked my boys, They grew up very welladjusted and wellbehaved.

I said no, but we're not spankers. I think I've spanked Sean maybe twice in the past year...he just doesn't respond well to it.

We do other forms of discipline. It works best for us........

I will spank if needed. A lot of kids could use a swatting on the butt.
:yes:yes My sentiments exactly. What works for one family doesn't mean everyone else should do it.

I don't think it should be against the law,but in my personal opinion spanking should be used as a last resort punishment. Not the first thing. I hate when parents spank their kids for every little minor thing.

:yes

I think it needs to be done the right way and not out of intent to HURT but gett he point across. I needed it at times when i was a kid. SO no I dont think it should be against the law

I don't think it should be outlawed but I think it needs to be used as a very very last resort and mostly not in public.

I will never use spankings on my children because my parents used it on me and to the extreme wich left a mental mark on me in many ways. I don't actully disagree with it but I think only with a hand not with any object like a belt or a tree limb *That should be illegal IMO* though.

If a child does something where the consequenses could be worse then a spanking, then by all means, spank. ie steals, brings a gun to school, etc
If no other punishment has worked for certain mis-behaviors, then spanking is appropriate.

Some children do not always respond ot time outs, talkings-to, etc.

Some children climbed out of their cribs at 7 months old, and over any and every baby gate they saw.

Some children are houdinis who will climb out their window, run out the back door naked, lock the neighbor's dog in our car trunk while I'm unloading groceries...and have a perfectly logical explanation for all of it somehow...and never be able to sit still long enough for time out.

Some kids are MY kid. :lol
I would love love LOVE to see some of these people who think it is wrong to spank try to wrangle Liam for a few months.:rofl

I reserve spankings for the really dangerous stuff he pulls, so it's rare. We do employ many other methods of punishment, and a face to face talk about WHY he is in trouble always preceeds any of them. Sometimes, though...the stubbornness kicks in and the spanking is in order. If it were illegal, I guess they'd just have to take me to jail. :shrug I wouldn't do him the disservice of administering a punishment he wouldn't remember, what good would that do him in the long run?

I think if your kids are fine without it, cool. Some kids just aren't, though.
IMO

no it should not be against the law!
i don't spank often, but if it is needed i do.

Nope.

Spanking isn't assaulting a child. It should be done in a manner of love in order to correct and teach. Assault is when you're angry and violent. There also shouldn't ever be lasting physical pain from a spanking. Its pretty temporary.

I agree completely. The issue I think comes up when people go over the edge. I once saw a mother jerk her 2 year old down the hall at the mall. When the lady in front of me said said something the mother started cussing and telling all of us to F off. Just an example.

I am anti-spanking. Take from that what you will. :P

I have wondered all of the SAME THING you wonder Brandi. Spanking has been one of my big moral quandaries. :lol

I am anti-spanking. Take from that what you will. :P

I have wondered all of the SAME THING you wonder Brandi. Spanking has been one of my big moral quandaries. :lol

For me it is like this Should I bite my child to teach him not to bite? (Jacob is not a biter so its not an issue in my home but Darian had a period of biting when he was between 1 & 2) So why would I hit my child to teach my child that it is wrong to hit?

If I slap an adult it is assualt, if someone smacks my tush (and I didn't ask them to) it is assualt so why are children afforded less rights about their bodies?

I am kinda anti-spanking, but I do believe a parent will chose the best form of discipline for their family. I know I was spanked as a child, and it was very effective, but it did not phase my sister. I think it should be up the the parent if they spank or not.

That's what I think Jamie. I know that if Adam got upset with me about something, as my husband and the "man of the house" as some people view the husband role, and decided that smacking me ANYWHERE was the appropriate way to deal with me, I would be LIVID. As an adult (even a teenager or pre-teen), if my parents had decided that spanking was the way to let me know that they don't approve of my actions I would have been upset and felt very shamed and disrespected. I know that there is a different role for parents when it comes to underage children and sometimes it feels like a last resort, only thing they will listen to, not that big a deal cuz everyone else has done it forever, etc. I just can't put it out of my mind that it is still hitting another person. It seems like there has got to be a better way than actually putting your hands on them and hitting them to teach a child something.

Of course I don't have kids yet, and no matter how much experience I have had with children, some people will use the fact that I have never had my own against me and tell me that since I am not parent I can't talk. :dunno I don't think that people who spank are horrible or anything even remotely close to that. I don't think that spanking is going to automatically irreparably damage every single child that is ever spanked for any reason. I just wonder why it is still viewed as such a no big deal or even necessary thing. I am having a bit of a disconnect in that department.

I dont think so, but hailey started to enjoy getting spanks (freak) so we just went something else... && yes the CPS lady didnt like it when i said i spank her, she can get over her damn self..

As silly as it sounds for me to say that Gidget (my chihuahua) is like my child, she is. I have 'spanked' her when she's ran out into the road, more because she scared me and out of anger than because she did anything wrong.

I hope that when I become a mother I can control that because it absolutely killed me for the 10 seconds that she looked at me like I was a monster.

I just don't think I can justify a full grown woman (me) spanking a 3 year old. :oogle

i voted no it should not be outlawed. i have seen the difference in some children who do not get spanked and those that do get spanked. and i feel that if done properly it can benefit some children.