Spanking Laws

[tim huntzinger]

Hear about a CA legislator who wants to criminalize the beating of children under three years of age?

I am all about that and would support similar measures in OK.  We need to send a clear message that hitting little children does not help them learn proper behavior.

[iplaw]

quote:Originally posted by tim huntzinger

Hear about a CA legislator who wants to criminalize the beating of children under three years of age?

I am all about that and would support similar measures in OK.  We need to send a clear message that hitting little children does not help them learn proper behavior.

Well...what a grand oversimplification that was.  Go away and stir the pot somewhere else troll.

[tim huntzinger]

Troll! Takes one to know one Mr. Big Dufus Picture! Thanks for your stimulating participation!

I have lost count of the number of little children who have been abused to death in the state.  Similar measures may not save the life of a neonate in the hands of a meth-crazed breeder but it may help borderline parents realize that babies who are spanked as infants grow up to be . . . intellectual property attorneys!

[iplaw]

So now spanking is abuse...

The only people stupid enough to actually think this would be a efficacious law are morons that think people can't differentiate between discipline and child abuse in the first place, though it probably goes without saying that you don't support any type of corporal punishment.  Too bad laws can't cure stupidity, though people who write laws like this would be serving life sentences.  This issue is so ignorant there's actually no reason to debate it.  Have fun though!

[tim huntzinger]

Yeah child abuse is pretty dumb.  Especially with the legislature in session when such laws would be passed this is pretty dumb to talk about.

[iplaw]

No.  What's ignorant are people who think spanking and child abuse are fungible issues.  There are already laws on the books that punish actual abuse.

[sgrizzle]

Yeah I would like to clarify that spanking and child abuse are two discernable activities. One can argue the usefulness of spanking but criminalizing it and categorizing it with child abuse is a stretch.

[tim huntzinger]

Whuts ignerint are trolls in drag as stoopid loyyers using wurds like fungible out of contechx.

And context does play a role in when a child is struck.  Many would argue that any hitting of children is abuse.

[Steve]

quote:Originally posted by sgrizzle

Yeah I would like to clarify that spanking and child abuse are two discernable activities. One can argue the usefulness of spanking but criminalizing it and categorizing it with child abuse is a stretch.

I agree.  Spanking that only inflicts discomfort, when non-physical measures have failed, is a normal and appropriate part of discipline and parenting.  Beating that inflicts bodily damage is another matter and we have laws that deal with this.

In my opinion, if more kids were spanked today and taught proper discipline and respect for property and authority, we would have far, far less problems with delinquency and youth crimes.  I received my fair share of spankings, but never was abused, and I don't recall ever receiving a spanking that was not deserved.  I think I turned out just fine, (although there may be some that think otherwise!)

[lsimmons]

I agree, Steve.

Tim, I'm curious. Have you ever dealt with an unruly 3 or 4 year old? If so how have you gotten them to mind consistently without the use of an occasional "swat"?

I'd really love to hear if there is some miracle parenting measure that has eluded me for the past twenty years.

Thanks

[iplaw]

quote:
Whuts ignerint are trolls in drag as stoopid loyyers using wurds like fungible out of contechx.

Maybe this will be of assistance.

Fun·gi·ble

2. Interchangeable.

quote:
Many would argue that any hitting of children is abuse.

There are a lot of people that still argue the earth is flat too...

[tim huntzinger]

My child is a perfect angel and my wife is a saint.  The neonate appears on track to be equally divine.  Reason. Patience. Love.

There is a huge difference between swatting a two-year old and beating a six-month old to death.  Got it.

Spanking only teaches that bigger people can hit smaller people to solve differences.  MLK said that laws cannot change the heart of man[kind] but certainly changes his[her] habits.

[Steve]

quote:Originally posted by tim huntzinger

And context does play a role in when a child is struck.  Many would argue that any hitting of children is abuse.

They are entitled to their opinions.  I would argue that allowing undiciplined children to run amok, trying to be your child's "friend" rather than an authority figure and responsible parent, and raising kids to be future residents of juvenille detention and state prisons, are much worse forms of child abuse than an occasional deserved swat on the butt could ever be.

I guess we all should agree to disagree on the subject of spanking.  We already have assault and battery laws and laws to protect citizens from physical abuse.  The state should stay out of it and let parents discipline their children as they see fit, without fear of incarceration.

[iplaw]

quote:
My child is a perfect angel and my wife is a saint.  The neonate appears on track to be equally divine.  Reason. Patience. Love.

Why do we care if your wife is a saint?  I'm sure no one is talking about spanking her.  As far as your kids, I'm sure you think ther're right as rain, but I'd be interested in hearing what their teacher's unvarnished opinion is.  

quote:
Spanking only teaches that bigger people can hit smaller people to solve differences.

So says the man who thinks that a 3 year old is capable of "Reason"...

[waterboy]

quote:Originally posted by lsimmons

I agree, Steve.

Tim, I'm curious. Have you ever dealt with an unruly 3 or 4 year old? If so how have you gotten them to mind consistently without the use of an occasional "swat"?

I'd really love to hear if there is some miracle parenting measure that has eluded me for the past twenty years.

Thanks

I have no miracles in my bag but I raised three boys, typical boys, and never once needed to spank them. I did receive many spankings as a child, with belts, with switches, with the back of a hand. My parents regret every one of them. I vowed to never utilize the method.

The problem is defining just what constitutes (abusive) spanking. A swat on the butt to get attention may not qualify. A belt that leaves welts probably should. It is so easy to be in favor of a little disciplin and a good spanking when you don't define the practice.