Anonymous asked this question on 3/6/2000:

Hi,

I want an opinion from the experts in this category. If someone chooses to spank their child for discipline, do you think they should have their child taken away from them by social services? I have a friend who disciplines her child with spanking. Her child went to school one day and told a teacher that she gets spanked. The next day social services were at her door, they had her under investigation for months. They told her if she spanks and/or yells at her child it is abuse and they will come back and take this child from her. That child loves her mother and she is a good mom. She provides for her and nutures her fully. They are very close and this would distroy this child.

Do you think this is right?

snowbird gave this response on 3/12/2000:

THERE ARE DIFFERENT TYPES OF ABUSE. HOWEVER, WHEN A PARENT DISCIPLINES A CHILD WITH A SPANKING, AS LONG AS THERE ARE NO MARKS ABOVE AND BELOW THE BUTTOCKS, IN MY OPINION, THERE IS NO ABUSE. I THINK THAT IS WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE CHILDREN TODAY. THEY KNOW THAT THEY CAN TURN IN A PARENT WHO IS DISCIPLINING THEM IN THE CORRECT WAY AND THE AUTHORITIES WILL HELP THEM.

IF THE AUTHORITIES WOULD SPEND THEIR TIME GOING AFTER THE REAL ABUSERS, THE COUNTRY WOULD BE BETTER OFF.

PAUL (SNOWBIRD) HAYS

The average rating for this answer is 3.5.