Should spanking be considered child abuse?

Mrs Wolfie · Mayor's Aide Joined: 16 Jun 2006 Posts: 117

Does a swat on the backside constitute as child abuse? Or is it discipline necessary for an out of control child?

Dolly · Mayor Joined: 17 Jun 2006 Posts: 247

Nope, it's discipline.

I haven't got much time for all the do-gooders who think childrens lives should be picture book and try and disguise it by saying minor issues are 'child abuse.'
What they are actually doing is driving child abuse underground and creating a bigger problem.

Parents who do physically abuse their children, will certainly not be deterred by smacking being banned. They will just hammer them harder when nobody can see.
Parents who do give their child a small slap to discipline them were never going to develop into child abusers anyway.

It's pointless drivel put together by people who can't cope with life and have an immature attitude that everything should be 'perfect' all the time.

Rant over.

Thumperfive · Mayor Joined: 11 Jun 2006 Posts: 222

show me a kid racing around WalMart destroying anything in his way and I'll show you a kid who never got touched in the way of discipline.

Dolly · Mayor Joined: 17 Jun 2006 Posts: 247

Isn't it part of a parents job though ... to prepare their child to survive and participate in society as responsible adults?

How can a child survive successfully if it grows to think that every response to its behaviour is going to be rational, fair and reasoned?

geline · Mayor's Aide Joined: 14 Jun 2006 Posts: 51

A slight slap on the butt is for discipline, child abuse is really violent physical abuse, and this kind of spanking is the one in which parents or guardians must be punished. A slight spank is necessary to tell an abusing child that his or her behavior is not anymore acceptable or tolerable, that is if, he or she doesn't know how to listen and obey his or her parents. IMO, this is a part of disciplining.

Dolly · Mayor Joined: 17 Jun 2006 Posts: 247

Thing is, Geline, most child abusers don't abuse children in front of anybody else. Therefore banning smacking children isn't going to benefit the true victims of child abuse. If anything it will make parents who do it, more subversive.

Whilst some people are trying to ban spanking under the guise of it being child abuse, I really do think that they are making the problem even worse for children who are victims of actual violent behaviour.

Thumperfive · Mayor Joined: 11 Jun 2006 Posts: 222

considering the number of untrained, horrible kids running around I don't think anyone's doing ANYTHING to keep their kidsin line these days..

Dolly · Mayor Joined: 17 Jun 2006 Posts: 247

Why do you think this is?

We have the same problem here.

It's got to be down to the parents, but as a society have we developed into thinking we don't have to take personal responsibility for anything?

MHJ · Mayor's Aide Joined: 12 Jun 2006 Posts: 118

Absolutely. I think we have evolved to the point were that ridiculous form of discipline needs to go the way of the dinosaur

Dolly · Mayor Joined: 17 Jun 2006 Posts: 247

Well, I get the impression that things are the same in the US that they are in the UK, and it may be my age but, kids seem to have very little respect for anybody - including in most cases themselves.

Violent and petty crime is up and although legislation is being implemented, nothing seems to be stopping it.

I still think that you have to start at the bottom, with the little things, rather than trying to mend stuff when it has already gotten out of control.

Stuff like kids giving up their seats to adults on buses, not dropping litter and saying please and thank-you.
My aunt always says that they should teach about not dropping litter in schools!

justagirl · Congressional Page Joined: 06 Jun 2006 Posts: 42

I think the biggest problem that we have is that children are raising children. It is common place these days for a girl to graduate from high school with a big belly. Personally I am a mom of a 16 month old and I feel at this age that she does not understand what a spanking is so I don't do it but come 3 or 4 if the crime fits the punishment she will get spankings. I am all about raising a child and not the hellions that you see running around.

Dolly · Mayor Joined: 17 Jun 2006 Posts: 247

I think you are right to a certain extent JAG, but older mothers don't seem to be that different. It may just be my take on things but generally speaking, the word discipline, seems to have taken on a violent connotation, when in actual fact it is a necessary part of learning to survive in society.

If you don't have discipline, then how can you learn self-discipline?

MHJ · Mayor's Aide Joined: 12 Jun 2006 Posts: 118

Enforced and brutal discipline is at best the mere illusion of true discipline

Dolly · Mayor Joined: 17 Jun 2006 Posts: 247

What are you classing as enforced and brutal discipline, MHJ?

I have visions of kids being locked in a bedroom and beaten with a belt!

Nogard · Mayor's Aide Joined: 14 Jun 2006 Posts: 130

I don't smack my kids. I use the good ole time out thing. it works to a point but I just can't smack my childs butt. Now the wife can and she does. I have to leave the room before she does.