California State Senator Sally Lieber, has announced that she is writing a bill she will introduce next week which will make it illegal for anyone to spank, pull, slap, or punch any child under the age of three. The law will give legal authority to anyone who witnesses such corporal punishment to call the police and have the spanker arrested.
While I do not spank my children and don't advocate that children be spanked, I have a few problems with this bill. First, I think this is one step too close to "Big Brother" as those that have read Orwell's classic novel will remember that the Party encouraged, trained, and expected everyone to report anyone that was violating the Party's doctrines. Second, why stop at the age of three? If, as Sally Lieber states, the purpose of the bill is to get to the root of violence in our society which starts in the home, why not protect all children (all minors) from such corporal punishment? Then of course there is the issue of the government stepping in to tell us what we can and cannot do in the privacy of our home and with our own children.
What do you think? How do you feel?
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Comments: 12
Sometimes a spanking makes a child realize wow. That must have been bad, because I never get that. Children often need 'punishments' appropriate to behavior, and a simple no no, or even a firm no does not always cut it.
I also believe that the state really hasn't a say in how anyone disciplines a child. While we've spanked him only a handful of times in his 4 years, it's been a light, but firm tap and only in the above situations. As a result he does not do those behaviors he was spanked for... except for one. Which we are trying to work through.
You might not like to do it, but sometimes it really is needed.
I think they need to focus on the more important issues at hand.
Like that war virtually no one wants.
I am not against spanking - even the Bible says foolishness is bound in the heart of the child, the rod of correction will chase it out.
Now this is not saying children should be spanked anyhow and for anything but children must not be made to think they can not be disciplined and parents must know there are diverse ways of disciplining their children before resorting to spanking.
Personally, I couldn't spank.
I think there should be more concern with punishing people who abuse children. Whether it is the parents or a stranger. Laws need to be tougher, and very clear about what constitutes "abuse". For the sexual abuse of a child, a person should receive nothing less than life in prison. They admit they can not and will not reform! So why are they turned loose to harm yet another child, as happens every time!!
I personally spanked all four of my kids, when gentler methods failed, and they are all good people with whom I have great relationships. They have been known to spank their own children, as well. I would be the first to step in if I thought abuse was taking place!
Too much interference in our daily lives by the government is leading to a society where we will have No say.
Does everyone miss the correlation in the "gentler parenting" and the rate of disrespect, juvenile crime, kids in foster care, etc etc? I could go on and on.
Someone has to take a stand against the thought that we're going to damage our children by disciplining them.
Someone needs to be able to tell the difference between discipline and abuse. Doing nothing is irresponsible parenting. There are children who never need it. We rarely use physical consequences in our home. However, I will do so to yank the chain of a fresh child. It doesn't take much for a kid to realize when they've stepped over the line.
I'm not pro spanking, I think done "correctly" without anger in your heart etc, it can be used wisely to illicit a response
I am ABSOLUTELY anti gov't interference when there is not clear abuse. It takes one peek at the foster care system to know that the gov't can't do any better.
We do not need to spank the kids for every little thing, but there are times that warrant it. What are they gonna start doing with all the delinquints that come about with this... It is bad enough kids don't mind and don't have respect because big brother is stepping in way too much as it is.
Whatever happened to the free america ..
People make these laws thinking that they are doing something wonderful for the children, but the Foster System is highly flawed. I would much rather see a child receive a spanking then be sent to a Foster home away from their families.
People make these laws thinking that they are doing something wonderful for the children, but the Foster System is highly flawed. I would much rather see a child receive a spanking then be sent to a Foster home away from their families.