mls88br asked this question on 2/21/2000:

Is spanking a child Child Abuse?

tower gave this response on 2/21/2000:

This is such a controversial and frustrating topic for any parent! I've wrestled with this question myself. I've even gone so far as to talk to social workers in the child protection service (in my state) to ask what their opinions were. We agreed on most things. It depends on what state you live in, so #1 - check the statutes! #2 - ask yourself what you think spanking will accomplish (i.e. - will it teach the child about his/her behavior or will it appease your bubbled anger at the moment?) Can you, as a person and a parent, assure that you will give a spanking without ANY anger during the discipline? Can you assure your child that he/she will/does understand why you're spanking? What will it teach them? Could the same desired result come from a well-appointed "time out" or forsaken privilege?

These are all things you need to think on and devise a plan for PRIOR to deciding whether-or-not to spank at THE TIME of your child's "behavioral upheaval".

Take care - keep digging!

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mls88br rated this answer a 5.