Spanking Ban Law Proposed in California

[WillyBWright]

SACRAMENTO, Calif. Jan 20, 2007 (AP)— California parents could face jail and a fine for spanking their young children under legislation a state lawmaker has promised to introduce next week.

Democratic Assemblywoman Sally Lieber said such a law is needed because spanking victimizes helpless children and breeds violence in society.

"I think it's pretty hard to argue you need to beat a child," Lieber said. "Is it OK to whip a 1-year-old or a 6-month-old or a newborn?"

Lieber said her proposal would make spanking, hitting and slapping a child under 4 years old a misdemeanor. Adults could face up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Aides to the assemblywoman said they are still working on a definition for spanking.

Some Republican lawmakers called the idea ridiculous. But Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said he may be receptive to it even though he has concerns about how the ban would be enforced.

The governor said he and his wife, Maria Shriver, did not spank their four children and used alternative methods for discipline. For example, Schwarzenegger said they found it more effective to threaten to take away their children's play time if they didn't do school work.

"They hate that much more than getting spanked," he told reporters Friday in Los Angeles.

California law permits spanking by parents unless the degree of force is excessive or not appropriate for the child's age.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Spanking Ban Law Proposed in California

My policy was once the diapers are off, spanking was an option. The boys got spanked sometimes, the girls rarely needed it. The oldest boy got the most.

My father made a plywood paddle like a paddleball paddle, only twice as thick. He stopped using it after he broke it on one of my brothers backside. I always used my bare hand. Two are still in the spanking age, but I can't remember the last time I had to. Over a year for sure. The youngest are now 7 and 9. Most were single warning swats. My most effective threat was "...and it ain't gonna be no warning swat". That usually made my point.

 

[ehenry]

Re: Spanking Ban Law Proposed in California

Law or no law....no one will tell me how to raise my child.

 

[Vlad D Impeller]

Re: Spanking Ban Law Proposed in California

I hope that the spanking law does not apply to bedroom antics.

.....Nevermind i don't live in nor do i have plans to live in California.

 

[JB]

Re: Spanking Ban Law Proposed in California

"Bedroom antics" with a child under four, Vlad?

I almost always got my children's attention to the error of their ways without resorting to contact, but it was always an option. I do remember once slapping a teen daughter when she shoved her mom in the midst of an argument.

Like hisonner, the Gov, I thought there were always other things that they considered worse than getting swatted.

Sally said, ". . .victimizes helpless children and breeds violence in society." Absolute nonsense. Lack of consequences for unacceptable behavior is what breeds further (and worse) unacceptable behavior.

One advantage of a swat is that it is an instantaneous consequence, which small children (under 5) understand more readily than a delayed consequence, and it is over. . .right now.

God only knows what a monster I would have turned out to be without the sure knowledge that my Dad would see to it that I regretted breaking his rules. Actually, he very rarely touched me after about 5; the knowledge of his disapproval was pain enough.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Spanking Ban Law Proposed in California

what about tourists? Disneyworld will need it's own full-time police force.

 

[QC]

Re: Spanking Ban Law Proposed in California

LOL @ jtex . . .

I almost brought this up in the thread about the parents that locked their daughter in her room for a few years . . . :% :'( But then I decided I'd get branded as a child abuser if I tried to tie fears of this type of legislation into that thread . . .

Anyway, we didn't originally spank with our first, but have begrudgingly added that to our repertoire since. There are definitely times when a quick swat is appropriate in our opinion. On the other hand, I have actually interceded when I saw a lady using a shoe in a store parking lot on a 5 YO :| Anyway . . . these are very tough lines to draw, but I am definitely against drawing them so low.

Hey Vlad,

This is a big place BTW. #3 to Texas and Alaska. I'm not sure you should write it off so quickly . . .

 

[JRJ]

Re: Spanking Ban Law Proposed in California

A fine line between a disciplinary spanking and a beating. Some people aren't smart enough to know the difference. With Dem's wanting complete control over all citizens, in every way, this is just more big brother politics to control the stupid. Too bad:%

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: Spanking Ban Law Proposed in California

"Bedroom antics" with a child under four, Vlad?

I almost always got my children's attention to the error of their ways without resorting to contact, but it was always an option. I do remember once slapping a teen daughter when she shoved her mom in the midst of an argument.

Like hisonner, the Gov, I thought there were always other things that they considered worse than getting swatted.

Sally said, ". . .victimizes helpless children and breeds violence in society." Absolute nonsense. Lack of consequences for unacceptable behavior is what breeds further (and worse) unacceptable behavior.

One advantage of a swat is that it is an instantaneous consequence, which small children (under 5) understand more readily than a delayed consequence, and it is over. . .right now.

God only knows what a monster I would have turned out to be without the sure knowledge that my Dad would see to it that I regretted breaking his rules. Actually, he very rarely touched me after about 5; the knowledge of his disapproval was pain enough.

JB and I are in lockstep on this one. If they don't learn early that there are consequences for their behavior, the police and penal system may have to teach them later.

 

[technostingray]

Re: Spanking Ban Law Proposed in California

"Bedroom antics" with a child under four, Vlad?

I almost always got my children's attention to the error of their ways without resorting to contact, but it was always an option. I do remember once slapping a teen daughter when she shoved her mom in the midst of an argument.

Like hisonner, the Gov, I thought there were always other things that they considered worse than getting swatted.

Sally said, ". . .victimizes helpless children and breeds violence in society." Absolute nonsense. Lack of consequences for unacceptable behavior is what breeds further (and worse) unacceptable behavior.

One advantage of a swat is that it is an instantaneous consequence, which small children (under 5) understand more readily than a delayed consequence, and it is over. . .right now.

God only knows what a monster I would have turned out to be without the sure knowledge that my Dad would see to it that I regretted breaking his rules. Actually, he very rarely touched me after about 5; the knowledge of his disapproval was pain enough.

JB and I are in lockstep on this one. If they don't learn early that there are consequences for their behavior, the police and penal system may have to teach them later.

That is one hard hittting statement BB. How do you teach and what are trying to teach? Taking reasonable tools out of the hands of the parent is not the key "When spankng is out-lawed, only outlaws will spank." (anonymous)
My mother always said, "Never hit a child in the face, nature provided a better place."

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: Spanking Ban Law Proposed in California

How do you teach and what are trying to teach?

Nothing. My youngest is 27.

 

[technostingray]

Re: Spanking Ban Law Proposed in California

The lessons have been learned. The proof is in the pudding. Good Job BB.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Spanking Ban Law Proposed in California

Easy to differentiate between Beating and Spanking...
Spanking = open hand to the backside, no more than 5 swats (and 5 is pushing it), no bruising, any child out of diapers.
Beating = use of any instrument and/or anything but an open hand and/or anyplace other than the backside, anything worse than redness, any infant or toddler still in diapers.
(IMHO)

 

[OldMercsRule]

Re: Spanking Ban Law Proposed in California

Rant:
Nany State mentality. "They should do something about that", (words to fear my friends), we are slipping further and further down the slope. Up here a little farther along the left coast the big thing is "domestic violence", I'm sure it plays big in the rest of the country as well. I know there are many "victims" out there that need protection from others in their interpersonal relationships, (same as Mom or Dad spanking there own child should have a personal social worker assigned to monitor the family). A little off topic: A friend of mine was married to a very sharp Pharmisist who was a drug addict. She had a sister in law inforcement, (Prosecuter), who conected with the female Judge, who persided over an "anti harassment complaint" she had filed against her husband, (my friend). The police took all his guns, and because he did not know the terms of the order, (the copy he was served with did not have the language about the prohibition to call his wife), he called her cell phone and went to jail for it, and suffered a heart attack while in the jug. He got crushed financially, (normal in a divorce). She sucessfully used the state mandated protections of her medical records to conceal her drug use, and he has not seen his small kids now for three years. His guns were distroyed, and he can never own a gun for the rest of his life. I really think the Nany State should have a lot more authority over every aspect of our personal lives, so that we don't have to cry about all the potential victims out there. So let's all think up some more ways for the State to slow down the production of any new victims. My $.02 End Rant. JR

 

[Plainsman]

Re: Spanking Ban Law Proposed in California

Got love the dems! Maybe if the next President is a dem we can make it a federal law!!

Quote WBW:
"Easy to differentiate between Beating and Spanking...
Spanking = open hand to the backside, no more than 5 swats (and 5 is pushing it), no bruising, any child out of diapers.
Beating = use of any instrument and/or anything but an open hand and/or anyplace other than the backside, anything worse than redness, any infant or toddler still in diapers."

I agree with you on this point! :^ I'm agreeing with Willy:^:^

 

[PW2]

Re: Spanking Ban Law Proposed in California

Spankings might be in order for a child who is intentionally disobeying.

There is no way a child 3 years or less has the ability to intentionally disobey. They may be confused about a rule, or not understand it, but no way can they form the intent to disobey it.

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: Spanking Ban Law Proposed in California

Spankings might be in order for a child who is intentionally disobeying.

There is no way a child 3 years or less has the ability to intentionally disobey. They may be confused about a rule, or not understand it, but no way can they form the intent to disobey it.

What planet are you living on?

It is a daily event for my 2 year to look me square in the eye and tell me no. And then run in the opposite direction. Seems pretty intentional to me.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Spanking Ban Law Proposed in California

Can't we just give california back to mexico?

 

[JRJ]

Re: Spanking Ban Law Proposed in California

Spankings might be in order for a child who is intentionally disobeying.

There is no way a child 3 years or less has the ability to intentionally disobey. They may be confused about a rule, or not understand it, but no way can they form the intent to disobey it.

What planet are you living on?

It is a daily event for my 2 year to look me square in the eye and tell me no. And then run in the opposite direction. Seems pretty intentional to me.

My 2 year old granddaughter likewise. Hello

 

[JRJ]

Re: Spanking Ban Law Proposed in California

Can't we just give california back to mexico?

Since Oregon is just a suburb of California, I hope you like chili verde