Child Anti-Spanking Law proposed in California
January 25, 2007 by garran
I was surprised to find out my girlfriend was never spanked as a child but given a time-out to think about what she did wrong. A time-out?! If I was given her punishment I wouldn’t be thinking about WHAT I did wrong but rather HOW NOT TO GET CAUGHT the next time.
On the other hand I grew up in a world where spankings were not only common, but also part of my decision making process. If I had any thoughts of acting out in a way which under-minded my parents’ teachings, I would first have to weigh the consequences. If I mess up and get caught, would it be worth spanking when I got home? Sometimes the reward out-weighted the consequences, sometimes it didn’t but the point is, I’d always have that thought in the back of my mind. Self-discipline if you will.
In addition, unlike my girlfriend, during my punishment there would be no thoughts of HOW NOT TO GET CAUGHT, but rather Will I Die?
I have never been beaten or abused neither physically nor mentally, but I have been disciplined thoroughly by my parents and grandparents. Currently I work in the field of Accounting while going to school to attain my Certified Public Accounting license. I have never been arrested, addicted to drugs nor committed a felony. By my standards I’m doing okay in life … as is my girlfriend. That’s the beauty of America, your freedom of choice.
Well Sally Lieber, a California lawmaker, has put into motion a proposed law that would prohibit the spanking of a child, punishable by fines or jail time. This will only apply to children under the age of 3. (Meaning: If you’re a child under the age of 3, the government will protect you. Over the age of 3, you’re shit-out-of-luck).
“I think it’s pretty hard to argue you need to beat a child three years old or younger,” said Lieber, who plans to introduce the bill next week.
Mrs. Lieber, we currently have laws against beating a child and punishments for violators of this law. I assume you are referring to the current legal act of physical discipline. In this case, how would you recommend parents to reprimand and discipline their child? And if this primary solution is ineffective then what would be the next step? WHO ARE YOU as a childless woman, to determine the way in which we raise our children?!
Living with my 2-year old nephew, I’m constantly observing both his behavior as well as his disciplinarians.
Currently he “picks” his nose for effect rather than reason and everyone has tried to halt his new-found habit. Parents, Grandparents and Aunty has tried to no avail. Pull his finger out he replaces it with another. To him it’s a game to test the limit, “they tell me no, I do it anyways. No consequences.” I’m 100% sure if Uncle was allowed to discipline that finger would never find that nostril again. The immediate pain inflicted with a slap will quickly register in his mind: “Finger in nose equals pain. Keep finger as far as possible from nostril to avoid pain.”
Simple and effective … the perfect business model.
Disclaimer: I am 100% against child abuse as defined by the law.
