[Paradox]

I hate spanking and other forms of physical punishment. But I also realize that sometimes, it may be neccessary. My mother (bless her heart, she had 7 children and stuggled as a parent), at times, smacked me real good and chased me around the house with a shoe in hand. And I well deserved it, each and every time. She at times, spanked ALL of us kids, and today, every single one of us is a law abiding, moral citizen (well, even though they ARE democrats, but I digress).

On the other hand, shouldn't there be some kind of limit, and if so, where do we draw the line?

[lepton]

On the other hand, shouldn't there be some kind of limit, and if so, where do we draw the line?

Legally? No permanent scarring, nor any maiming, nor deep bodily injury of any sort.

Wisely? You do what is neccessary, out of duty and love and not anger, and no more.

Spanking has different effects on different kids at different times of their lives. Some kids need their butt to remind their brain that they shouldn't do something. Some kids need the spanking to remember the words. Some kids are spurred to open and determined rebellion by the spanking. Some children are fully handled by a look of disappointment. Some kids need to be spanked to save their lives. Trying to make any further law than the no-maiming one, is ridiculous.

[kitkat]

***On the other hand, shouldn't there be some kind of limit, and if so, where do we draw the line?***

It's very simple. You draw the line this way: If it leaves a mark for a few weeks, it's okay. If you INJURE the child beyond a mark which will self heal, then it's WRONG. Of course, that's a parent's viewpoint, not the liberal's law.

[najida]

On the other hand, shouldn't there be some kind of limit, and if so, where do we draw the line?

I too, am not fond of spanking, but it is necessary in some situations. The line (to me) being keeping it as a punishment of humiliation, where the adult is in control and not in a blind rage.

[SauronOfMordor]

On the other hand, shouldn't there be some kind of limit, and if so, where do we draw the line?

In Pennsylvania, you can spank your kid. (In fact, in the PA Code a TEACHER is allowed to whack a kid to discipline him if doing so is authorized by the school board).

The case law generally seems to be that the line is where you cause "bodily injury", generally interpreted to mean something that would need medical treatment (bleeding, broken bones, concussion, etc)