Anti-Spanking in California
As a political junkie, I've heard of my share of controversial, wacky and downright stupid bills in the California legislature. But this one, from California State Assemblywoman Sally Lieber (D) of Mountain View, might actually cause hemorrhaging in my brain.
Her bill would make California the first state to explicitly ban spanking for children younger than 3. Lieber said her measure would make spanking a misdemeanor, subject to a maximum one-year jail term and $1,000 fine. Thomas Nazario, a University of San Francisco Law School professor who has helped develop the bill, said the goal is to change behavior -- not incarcerate parents or remove children from homes. "My guess is that people would get a citation," Nazario said. "They might go to court and, as a result of that citation, have to take a parenting class."
She says, "there's no amount of physical force that's appropriate on a child 3 years old or younger." True or not, critics blasted Lieber's proposal last week as silly and excessive, or "nanny government" that would step on parents' toes and force judges to decide whether a swat was a spank, a nudge, a push or a "love tap."
As of right now, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has taken no position on the measure.
I don't, by any means, condone abusive practices or spankings using excessive force, but I also respect each parents' right to discipline their child as they see fit and have the right to deliver a well mannered spanking when needed. Whether some parents' choose to use the time-out method, the psychological right-and-wrong talk, or the spanking method, it's their prerogative. We each have our own viewpoints on how to raise and discipline a child, but once you start trying to implement your viewpoints onto others or try to regulate other peoples' actions based on your opinion, is when you cross the line. As for me, I don't know how much you can reason and teach a 3-year-old about right and wrong with just a stern chat, since 3 year-olds barely understand the concept of even talking and listening in the first place. So when a well deserved spanking is administered, I believe it sends a more enforced message of boundaries and respect at a very early age.
And another thing, aren't there more important issues than policing parents' spanking practices in California that need our attention?
Her bill would make California the first state to explicitly ban spanking for children younger than 3. Lieber said her measure would make spanking a misdemeanor, subject to a maximum one-year jail term and $1,000 fine. Thomas Nazario, a University of San Francisco Law School professor who has helped develop the bill, said the goal is to change behavior -- not incarcerate parents or remove children from homes. "My guess is that people would get a citation," Nazario said. "They might go to court and, as a result of that citation, have to take a parenting class."
She says, "there's no amount of physical force that's appropriate on a child 3 years old or younger." True or not, critics blasted Lieber's proposal last week as silly and excessive, or "nanny government" that would step on parents' toes and force judges to decide whether a swat was a spank, a nudge, a push or a "love tap."
As of right now, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has taken no position on the measure.
I don't, by any means, condone abusive practices or spankings using excessive force, but I also respect each parents' right to discipline their child as they see fit and have the right to deliver a well mannered spanking when needed. Whether some parents' choose to use the time-out method, the psychological right-and-wrong talk, or the spanking method, it's their prerogative. We each have our own viewpoints on how to raise and discipline a child, but once you start trying to implement your viewpoints onto others or try to regulate other peoples' actions based on your opinion, is when you cross the line. As for me, I don't know how much you can reason and teach a 3-year-old about right and wrong with just a stern chat, since 3 year-olds barely understand the concept of even talking and listening in the first place. So when a well deserved spanking is administered, I believe it sends a more enforced message of boundaries and respect at a very early age.
And another thing, aren't there more important issues than policing parents' spanking practices in California that need our attention?
Posted by kristina
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