Spanking to be outlawed in CA?

[Tim Hancock]

I heard a story on NPR on the way home today about a woman (politician, democrat) in CA that is proposing a law that will make it illegal for parents to "spank" any of their 4 yr and younger kids.

I have never spanked one of my kids and the other has recieved a just a few over the years, but WTF? Are you Californians OK with this? I don't see how it is any of govt's business. I am sure California along with all other states have laws against abuse, but spanking? Unbelievable!

[stevepaa]

That should be a private matter unless abuse is involved. That is a thorny point in many marriages. I think I did spank each of my kids, but I did it in a even temper after calmly telling them how they disobeyed me and that I needed them to remember this.

[Vipergrün]

Some lawmaker needs to be slapped

What constitutes a spanking? A slap on the wrist when your kid grabs for a hot cup of coffee? Or does the kid need to be hanging by one arm as the parent flails in circles trying to get a clean shot?

Unless it's cleary abuse, IMHO, it should be up to the parent. Some folks will be sure to say their religious rights are being violated since there are reference to 'spanking' in the bible.

I guess the bigger question is how will they enforce this, or even find out about it if it's done at home behind closed doors? Spying, wire taps, verbal accusations?

[dd74]

Originally posted by Tim Hancock
I don't see how it is any of govt's business.

Which is the point, isn't it?

I tell ya, sometimes it sucks to live in this state.

But we Cali people should look on the bright side: the newly emerging Muslim government in the UK want to eventually have it so all women have to wear burkas. And punishment by mutilation - i.e. cutting off of hands, feet and heads, is legal.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

What about monkeys?

[dd74]

Originally posted by Porsche-O-Phile
What about monkeys?

Who actually "spanks" those?

[widgeon13]

there going to need more SWAT teams to enforce this one. This has been floating around the news for the last week, craziest thing I've ever heard.

[Racerbvd]

I bet she likes to be Spanked on occasion

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally posted by Tim Hancock
... Are you Californians OK with this? I don't see how it is any of govt's business. I am sure California along with all other states have laws against abuse, but spanking? Unbelievable!

I'm a Californian and a Democrat and I think this is a stupid idea. Clearly we do not need another law, we need enforcement of the ones we already have. The only issue here is abuse and if a parent is abusing a child they oughta get the book thrown at them...period.

I gave my kids a swat here and there and yes, probably a time or two (literally) out of anger...and it didn't hurt them a bit. I'm not suggesting that striking your child is ever preferred and striking them out of anger is NEVER the way to go.

My opinion with two successful, loving kids now 24 and 25 is that "no" is "NO" from their earliest memory and if you really suceed in communicating that the need for corporal punishment will be few and far between.

[TerryH]

I thought it was 3 yrs and younger. I'm for anything that cuts down on child abuse. Spanking toddlers that may be too young to understand why they are being spanked is abuse. Adults that take their frustrations out on their kids on the premise that they deserved it is abuse.

I'm thinking this law would be enforced when parents bring an injured child into the emergency room and they say, "gee, I only spanked him."

[bigchillcar]

good point, terry. that sounds reasonable to me.

[legion]

Originally posted by TerryH
Spanking toddlers that may be too young to understand why they are being spanked is abuse. Adults that take their frustrations out on their kids on the premise that they deserved it is abuse.

I disagree. You spank a kid because they are too young to understand why they shouldn't do something, but they need something unpleasant to associate with the behavior you want ended. It isn't even about causing them pain. I believe most young kids will start crying when they are over your knee and you have given them a light swat on the butt. They may not be old enough to understand why pulling their pants down and playing with their junk in public isn't acceptable behavior, but they will remember that if they do it they will get spanked.

[Moneyguy1]

There will really be a number of lawsuits IF the proposed law does not clearly define in measurable terms what constitutes child abuse. Parents. responsible ones, do not need to be shackled any more than they already are. Bad enough that kids have been known to take their parents to court for perceived abuses. Glad I had my kids when I did. They knew who was boss, generally followed instructions, discussed limits that eased as they grew, and I had very few insurmountable problems. Handcuff the parents, and we will wind up with every suceeding generation understanding less and less the value of social standards and limitations of certain actions.

[skipdup]

Originally posted by TerryH
...
I'm thinking this law would be enforced when parents bring an injured child into the emergency room and they say, "gee, I only spanked him."

Laws covering this situation already exists. Why do we need another?

I went to the emergency wound for a head wound (long story, something fell on me). A social worker came and took a report and to try and determine if it was abuse. I was 35.

I have no idea if spanking a child under 3 years old is appropriate or not (we don't have kids yet). But, it I am sure it's not for the state to decide.

- Skip

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally posted by TerryH
I thought it was 3 yrs and younger. I'm for anything that cuts down on child abuse. Spanking toddlers that may be too young to understand why they are being spanked is abuse. Adults that take their frustrations out on their kids on the premise that they deserved it is abuse.

I'm thinking this law would be enforced when parents bring an injured child into the emergency room and they say, "gee, I only spanked him."

I respectfully disagree. In my opinion no parent needs the government telling them when to discipline their children. If it DOES take the government to tell you...well? You weren't going to worth a damn as a parent anyway.

"Spanking" a toddler isn't really necessary..in my opinion it rarely is. Not if you've communicated that the parent is the authority and no is no. A swat in the pants may be necessary and that is not abuse.

What we're talking about here is a law so reasonable people will follow it as a guideline. But reasonable people don't need this rule and unreasonable, out of control parents aren't going to follow it anyway. So what's gained except some politician feels like they did something. They didn't.

[island911]

Only the State should teach disipline . . . preferably after the kids are in their teens and stealing PS3's.

[artplumber]

open up a can of @sswhuppin on that politician!!

[TerryH]

Unless you are spanking the child in line at the grocery checkout, I don't see how they can monitor activity in ones home. This law would only apply to children under 3. Let's face it, the child really won't spend too much of his/her life in public up to that point. Parents will have plenty of time to beat on them after 36 months.

All I said was I'm all for anything that stops child abuse. I'm not saying this law is right or wrong. I think it could open up a big bag of worms if parents start getting falsey accused. I think there is probably more bad than good in this law.

Many years ago, my wife fainted and split her chin on the bathtub. I took her to emergency at midnight. They gave me that look like I belted her.

[skipdup]

Originally posted by TerryH
...
Many years ago, my wife fainted and split her chin on the bathtub. I took her to emergency at midnight. They gave me that look like I belted her.

That's what happened with me, except opposite. That social worker was serious... My wife is a full six inches shorter and 100 lbs lighter. Go figure.

[Joeaksa]

I was spanked really only twice. Remember both of them and why it happened. Never did it again (once was naughty and the other time I "borrowed" $20 from my mothers purse) and waiting until Dad got home to spank me was a lifetime.

This is another case of govt and a bleeding heart liberal run amok. They need to keep their noses out of our private lives IMHO. Where abuse is involved its a different story but the legislator in this case is far out in left field on this subject.