Mass. Considers Outlawing Spanking

Bill Sponsors Say Some Parents Go Too Far, Hope To Start Debate Setting Limits

(CBS/AP)  A bill that would prohibit parents from spanking their children is being criticized as unnecessary and unenforceable by many Massachusetts lawmakers.

The measure - being heard Wednesday by a legislative committee - defines corporal punishment as "the willful infliction of physical pain or injurious or humiliating treatment." State legislator Jay Kaufman said he submitted the bill at the request of nurse Kathleen Wolf.

"I could remember as a 10-year-old kid and being in a family where there was a lot corporal punishment and thinking, 'Why isn't anyone doing anything?'" Wolf told CBS station WBZ-TV.

"We need to have a serious public conversation, not about spanking - that's not what this is about - but where people cross the line and abuse their children," Kaufman told the station.

Several lawmakers counter that parents are best able to decide on discipline, and point out that state law already bans the physical abuse or neglect of children.

"This bill is really designed to begin a process of dialogue, a conversation about spanking, because I think our society is moving further away from physical violence as a solution to problems in general," psychologist Teresa Whitehurst, who helped Wolf draft the bill, said on CBS News' The Early Show.

"I would not use the word 'abuse,' because I think most parent who spank have a very good goal, which is setting limits and trying to get their children to have good values," Whitehurst said.

The state's highest court ruled in 1999 that parents could spank their children, so long as it doesn't cause serious bodily harm.

"There are always going to be some (parents) who use implements, such as belt, switches, sticks. I've seen extension cords used, that sort of thing," Whitehurst told Early Show co-anchor Russ Mitchell.

Some lawmakers question how police could possibly enforce such a ban. And some parents, reports WBZ's Dawn Hasbrouck, question whether the government should tell them where that line is and how they should raise their kids.

"The state has always had rights in this area" such as "child safety seats in cars," said Whitehurst. "We're not saying parents can't make choices. We're just saying let's move toward nonviolent methods."

The legislature has ended formal sessions for 2007, so the earliest the bill could be debated would be next year.

[michellem99-2009]

Pardon me little adults. No little children.Don''t ever hit in the head.

[dmhphils]

There is a proper way to discipline children and then there is the wrong way. Parents who blow their top and then jump into spanking their kids need a kick in the rear as well.

When you need to discipline your child, get a grip on your anger first, then sit them down and explain to them why you are going to spank them and that you are doing it because you love them. "God loves those He corrects", and so do you. After spanking your child, comfort him/her and reassure him/her.

Parents are in too big a hurry to discipline their children properly and in love......so now we got the government jumping in to tell us how its going to be because many have neglected the proper way to discipline their children.

If Mass. passes this bill, my wife and I will pass them by too on vacations.

[keithle1]

Kids are happy to do whatever their parents tell them.
Kids never talk back.

You should never spank your kid under any circumstance. Even if he burns the house down, rapes a little girl or beats his teacher. You should hug him. Even if he tells you to "F Off!" & spits in your face in public, you should tell Cody that he needs a "time out." Don''t you dare touch one little hair on Cody''s head. Poor misunderstood Cody. Bad parents! Mean parents!

Let the kids do whatever they want.

Can I sue my mother for spanking me? I didn''t deserve it!

[fiteit1]

This countries kids have gone straight down the toilet ever since time outs began. Its not right to beat a kid till there black and blue but a few good swats never permanently hurt anyone. We never had to hit our kids, just talk to them like little adults and always explain why we wanted them not to do something and when they tested the water a good flick to the head got there attention. Break there focus not their spirit.

If perennial rights are govern by the government then when things go wrong will the government take responsibility? Look at teachers, all ability to discipline students have been taken away and it has been replaced with disrespect and yet the parents hold the teacher responsible when kids go wild. I can''t stand parents that defend bratty kids when they do get disciplined. Take a grown up pill and get over it.

[michaeln5-2009]

I''m glad I don''t live there. As long as they don''t abuse their kids, parents should have the right to choose whether they spank their kids or not.

The experts say that spanking does so much harm... well my parents spanked me since I was around four until I was around nine or ten. My sister got spanked once; just a couple of swats on her bottom, fully clothed because she stole $100 of the cash my parents kept on hand for emergencies. She knew that stealing was wrong at the time too.

However, its me that still helps out around house and helps pay their rent. Its my sister who lays around the house ordering the rest of us around, yelling and swearing at us, and its her that makes our mother help dress her(and no thats not because she can''t dress herself).

I''ve heard the experts say that spanking makes kids violent; well, between my sister and I who do you think has threatened the kill everyone in our family(more than once)? Who do you think is the one who has a habbit of throwing glass dishes at people''s heads? I''ll give you a hint...It was the family theif(I call her that because she still steals from our parents; and me, 15 years later).

I''m not saying parents should spank their kids, and I not saying that parents shouldn''t spank their kids. I''m just saying that parents should have the option to spank their kids if they can do it without going to far.

[grammawhamma]

A woman I know spoils her kid to the max. He is now 20 years old, never worked longer then a week at a job before he got fired and he still lives at home. He steals stuff out of her house and takes it to a pawn shop to have money for drugs. But she wants to be his friend...he told her he got a job today...so she went out and bought him a $28,000.00 sports car to drive to his "so called" job that I bet he doesn''t even have. This is nuts to me...this kid needs his a$$ kicked around the block....too late now, it needed to be done when he was little (spanked). She even lied for him and gave him an alibi when he burglarized someone else''s home all because she is his friend and not a parent.

There is a big difference between child abuse, good parenting discipline and spoiling your kid to the point of no return!

[michellem99-2009]

Just who pays to educate the KIDS in school..That right. We the people. Every where we go we see tagging every where,gangs,baggy pants, sassy kids and young parents. I am a New Englander.. We have the largest prisom system. Yer tell us it none of the the people''s business. Fine don''t whine MA when yer ideas don''t work. We are losing children as no one really cares. I am 53.

[wicc_ed]

In reponse to a previous post:
Posted by Xlib at 09:50 AM : Nov 28, 2007

And Xlib you are intruding on Democracy because it is their right that is the true Republican way. Of course the new Republicans just want it their way. This is not Burger King it is America and I am sick and tired of you nut cases that have destroyed the Republican party.

If you don''''t live in MA it is not of your business nut case

Your wrong it is everyones business! Just look how the no smoking in public places has swept across America! If this is allowed to pass in MA, it will be knocking on all of our doors before we know it! THIS HAS TO BE DEALT WITH NOW!

I would also like to ask if it is true, that the person that is pushing this bill, was interviewed. During this interview he was asked if he ever found it necessary to spank his own child. His response was "its none of your *** business"?

[michellem99-2009]

Yer go to a place to eat, a store,where parents take their kids,they run about the place. IT tells me they do the same thing at home. I asked my friend why can''t they sit and be well mannered. I am not asking for the world. Parents have been raised by their parents the same so the child''s parents are raising them the same. Yer don''t want to be told how bring up Jane/John. Yer don''t want the nanny govt telling ye. Who will if yer don''t care. I AKSED A STORE STAFF TO CKECK ON A LITTLE GIRL AS SHE WAS HOLLERING. The lady did. I was floored when the child and mum walked by. It was pitiful. Time out did not work. A paw on her little butt would have worked and no it is not child buse. Sure she would cryed. A paw done right would not have left any marks. Yer wonder why there are brats.STAND UP TO THE PLATE MUM AND DAD. IN LOVE NOT IN MEANESS.

[sgtrds]

If spanking is outlawed in Massachusetts, then that''s one less state my wife and I will visit as tourists.............