Why should child abuse be illegal?

Answer 1

Answer: Whether to spank or not to spank a child is one of the top heated debates in Western countries but according to statistics 90 percent of American parents at some point will spank their children. The word abuse is often connected to a spanking on the buttocks and this is not abuse! Yanking arms; twisting; kicking or hitting a child on any part of their body with an object such as a belt is abuse, but an open handed one or two slaps on a clothed buttocks is not any form of abuse and should only be used as a last resort. Unfortunately, some parents go by the old rigid rule of 'spare the rod, spoil the child' and will spank often without giving their child a chance to behave themselves with time-out to see if they will comply before spanking them. This is where it gets sticky regarding laws that may change spanking to no spanking laws in some States and some Provinces in Canada and parents are divided about this law; some parents are relieved about no spanking laws while many other parents fear that total control will be taken from them in order to control a child that is difficult to discipline.The problems began when both parents had to work and their children were most likely looked after by a caregiver or in Day Care and that is when the parents lost the connection with their children. Both parents come home exhausted; they have so much time to spend together as a family and in order to maintain rules of the house for all to abide by the parents must decide together on what type of punishment they choose to correct their children's bad behavior. Some parents are fortunate to have children that are little to no problem and 'time out' can sometimes do the trick, but often there are children that will not conform or change when they are punished in this manner and this is when it becomes a last resort by telling the child that if they do not do as they are told they will get a spanking and the parent should follow through. Children are well aware of what a spanking means even if they have never been spanked and most would rather do as they are told than receive a spanking and those few that still do not get the message one spanking on the clothed buttocks one or more times should work to the benefit of the parent.Child psychologists are still researching whether spanking causes low self esteem or causes them to abuse others when they grow older or even abuse their own children. The truth of the matter is that not one set of parents can ever state they have not used so-called abuse to correct their child. Some parents who never do spank their children at some point will 'lose their cool' and either smack the child on the back of the head or a shove or soft kick on the buttocks when the parents becomes exasperated which is far more hurtful and embarrassing to that child then a warning of getting a spanking. These type of parents do not consider this behavior wrong because spanking is considered abuse and not the actions they have taken.It takes good common sense to realize every parent wants their children to grow up with self confidence; be well liked; excel in life; be responsible for their own actions and still respect their parents and unless the parent can decide between 'time out' or a 'spanking' depending on the child's behavior and what they will comply too then they have failed miserably because life out there has no room for undisciplined individuals who are unwilling to take orders in different areas of their adult life.It has also been proven that some children who have never been disciplined or the discipline the parent is not using often act out while in society and, in fact, in British Columbia, Canada unruly children are asked to leave any adult establishment such as a restaurant, etc. Often one hears, 'Why is my son or daughter always getting into trouble? I just don't know where I went wrong.' The wrong generally reverts back to a fearful parent who is afraid to use spanking as a punishment if their child refuses to comply by other methods of punishment. Society should not have to put up with unruly children well into their teens simply because they were allowed to get away with not being responsible for their actions.Laws should be well defined on the punishment of a child and what a spanking mean if some parents choose to use this method and for the parents who have children that are easy to raise then 'time out' should be used.

Answer: Definitely not. Spanking is not abuse and the way one sees fit to raise their child should not be another's business just because they raise their child another way. Children are individuals and need individual unique attention and discipline. While some find time-outs more effective in raising their child, others see non abusive spankings as more effective. If people are allowed to raise their children with racist views, (which very well can in the future affect many others negatively), and when the child is an adult, they still have a choice to continue what they've learned or not, then spanking, a non abusive form of discipline, certainly shouldn't be made illegal when the very same choice is available.

Answer 2

Answer from a former teacher I go back many years as a teacher to the days when caning was a method of punishment in UK schools. When I first began to teach in the 1970s, my laboratory was next door to the head's office and I was frequently called in to 'witness' punishment to ensure that it was carried out properly and I was then required to sign the 'punishment book'.

Whilst I have never administered a cane myself (nor would I) I have therefore had quite an experience of 'legal' spanking. One day I examined the punishment book, and I noticed the same names cropping up time and time again. To me this suggested that caning, far from being a deterrent, did these youngsters no good at all as they continued to offend. When caning was thankfully abolished in UK schools a few years later, the feared 'anarchy' that would ensue never took place and discipline was just the same as before.

However, whilst I will never advocate physical violence against children, I think that the pendulum may well have swung too much the other way. There was a case recently in the UK where a mother, who had taken her child to hospital for a check-up, quickly and forcibly snatched her child's hand away from an electrical socket into which she was just about to push her finger. It was noticed by a child welfare officer standing nearby, and proceedings were begun to charge her with 'assault'. Thankfully the Crown prosecution service saw sense and any charge was dropped.

Therefore, I think the answer to the question is a matter of balance. Physical abuse of anyone let alone children is wrong and is illegal, and rightly so. However there are times when physical restraint or guidance - or perhaps slightly more - is necessary. The real question is not whether physical punishment is wrong - it's where you draw the line.

ANSWER FROM A GIRL WHO GETS SPANKED HERSELF

I don't think it should be illegal. It teaches kids they cant just do wateva they want. That's how I got my discipline, it should work for others too.

Only suitable for minors?:

People used to think it was necessary to "spank" adult members of the community, college students, military trainees, and prisoners. In some countries they still do. In our country, it is considered sexual battery if a person over the age of 18 is "spanked", but only if over the age of 18.

For one thing, because the buttocks are so close to the anal region, sex organs, and so multiply linked to sexual nerve centers, striking them can trigger powerful and involuntary sexual stimulus in some people. There are numerous physiological ways in which it can be intentionally or unintentionally sexually abusive, but I won't list them all here. One can read the testimony, documentation, and educational resources available from the website of Parents and Teachers Against Violence In Education. (see related links)

Child bottom-battering vs. DISCIPLINE:

Child bottom-battering (euphemistically labeled "spanking","swatting","switching","smacking", "paddling",or other cute-sounding names) for the purpose of gaining compliance is nothing more than an inherited bad habit.

Its a good idea for people to take a look at what they are doing, and learn how to DISCIPLINE instead of hit.

There are several reasons why child bottom-battering isn't a good idea. Here are some good, quick reads recommended by professionals:

Plain Talk About Spanking

by Jordan Riak

The Sexual Dangers of Spanking Children

by Tom Johnson

NO VITAL ORGANS THERE, So They Say

by Lesli Taylor MD and Adah Maurer PhD

Just a handful of those helping to raise awareness of why child bottom-battering isn't a good idea:

American Academy of Pediatrics,

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry,

American Psychological Association,

Center For Effective Discipline,

Churches' Network For Non-Violence,

Nobel Peace Prize recipient Archbishop Desmond Tutu,

Parenting In Jesus' Footsteps,

Global Initiative To End All Corporal Punishment of Children,

United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child.

In 31 nations, child corporal punishment is prohibited by law (with more in process). In fact, the US was the only UN member that did not ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The US also has the highest incarceration rate in the world.

The US states with the highest crime rates and the poorest academic performance are also the ones with the highest rates of child corporal punishment.

There is simply no evidence to suggest that child bottom-battering instills virtue.

Answer:

In my opinion it shouldn't.... many children in the generation seriously need it. spanking isn't abuse it is simply discipline weak answer but that's my opinion :) I don't agree that it is a weak answer. It is solid and I whole heartedly think you are correct as long as it is done with care and love.

Spanking shouldn't be illegal, and in the United States and most of the world it isn't illegal. Evey attempt to ban it has met with opposition from 80-90% of the public, even those who do not use spanking themselves.

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Answer 3

Abuse physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually destroys its victims. The fact that the victim is a child who can do nothing to defend themselves or seek help means that any damage is so much worse. Besides this, it is against almost any sensible list of human rights and morals.