Spanking, when does it become child abuse?
352281
Certainly if you hit anywhere except on a well-padded bottom, or a quick smack on a hand to get it to withdraw from touching something dangerous.  But generally, I think spanking -- hitting of any kind -- should be reserved for emergency situations where getting the child's attention in a startling way is necessary.  If a child is reaching for something very hot, you can say "hot!" or "don't touch!" and then what?  Do you let them go ahead and disobey, and get burned, or do you smack the hand away?  If a child runs out into the street, and you strongly suspect it was for the purpose of gaining your attention (I have seen this happen), a smack on the butt when they are safely on the sidewalk will let the kid know it is something very important ONLY if you do not swat them frequently.\n\nSave hitting for extreme circumstances, and you will never have to hit very hard or do any serious harm.
859445
Well if you are trying to find out the phrase a person being spanked also, it is pretty simple. It usually means, that a person is being punished by their parent by getting slapped a lot. If this phrase is repeated  on the same person it means that the child is disobedient, or the parent is abusing the shild for no reason.
141094
Usually, but not always.  If the parent is acting out of anger, or is not in control of his emotions, it is wrong.  If the parent hits too hard, it is wrong.  As a regular form of disipline, it's wrong.  But depending on the kid and the circumstances, it may be extremely effective.  When the child has something outside significantly worse than his/her normal level of disobediance and general bad behavior, a GENTLE spanking MAY help the child to understand that whatever it was that he/she did is entirely unacceptable, and goes beyond the normal level of trouble-making.
1024894
I think it should be considered child abuse.\n\nA five year old isn't mature enough to make that commitment. I wonder if she would be as equally thrilled if he came home and told her he had thought it over and decided to become a (something different than what she is).
11808
It would take a supremely huge effort for me to EVER slap a kid in the face, however, I have to admit that I've been tested a time or two. Spanking, however...well, I am a firm believer in "spare the rod, spoil the child". I am a bit older, however, I know that many people do not believe in this today.\n\nI will, then, share with you a family situation. I am the oldest of all of the grandkids & we are all now adults. I was spanked when necessary but not, of course, beaten in any way. My cousins, on the other hand, were never spanked or even smacked to save them from doing something stupid or harmful. My cousins, I have to admit, are some of the most spoiled & self-centered adults that I have EVER come across. Only one even approaches what I would consider normal & I think that this is only because she got lucky when she got married...he makes a fortune & she doesn't have to worry about anything other than taking care of their kids & shopping. Still, she's quickly learning that she can't raise her kids the way she was raised. The other two? All me, me, me...to the extent that one of them expected her parents to help her finance en-vitro because she couldn't have kids on her own. Now she has three that run wild...while she blames everyone else for having to work so hard to support them.\n\nI know this is just my family but, geez, it should be a little snapshot into the adult effects of not spanking your children when they misbehave...at least it has been for me...
233287
For a child to be "beaten up," as in abused or battered, absolutely not.  No child should have to suffer abuse or physical torment to that extent.  If parents want to punish their children for wrongdoing with minor physical discipline, like spanking, that is up to each parent to decide.  But no parent is ever justified in disciplining without a legitimate reason, and no parent is ever justified in "beating up" the child in a dangerous or significant way.  It is child abuse, which is illegal in every state, severely punishable by law, and psychologically and physically harms the child.
157626
Hurting kids should be defined as what?\n\nSpanking a child is not abuse.  To me abuse is not correcting your child for doing wrong.  Look at how a lot of these kids are growing up. Most without any dicipline at all..\nNow, hurting children physically with malace is already illegal.  Slapping a child in most places is not, but Back-handing them is. (Should be as well)\nControlled spankings, meaning no more then 4 pop's on the buttocks, should not be a problem.   If anyone does have an issue with it, they should really understand a biblical term of spare the rod, spoil the child.\nChildren respond well to discipline.  Just make the rules, make the punishment fit the crime, and stick with it.\nI remind my children when they do get in trouble that I am only doing this because they decided to break the rules.  \nOh, my oldest would rather have a spanking now then being grounded or me taking away his stuff.\nPunishment always matches the crime.
1058672
I spanked all my kids, and I have three.  You have to instill fear into a child otherwise they run wild without fear of being punished.  I know, all you non-spankers are bit*hin, shut up.
939416
No I don't believe anyone deserves to be hit for any reason. I raised a wonderful child without ever hitting her. She is well adjusted, masters degree, great job, perfect boyfriend,very family oriented, and mentally sound. You do not have to hit children to make them obey. Hitting is just the lazy way of discipline for parents who don't want to take the time to do it right. Have you ever made a mistake at work? A big mistake that caused the company to lose money or get others in trouble. Have you ever spilled anything at work, a drink or your lunch or broke anything? Have you ever lied about being sick or something more serious? So, how would you like it if your boss or co-workers solved the problem by hitting you. If your boss smacked you on the butt a few times, how would you feel? If your co-workers slapped you, kicked you, or hit you with a belt, would you like it? Its the same thing. You should treat a child like you would like to be treated. Realize that everyone makes mistakes and accidents happen. Hitting your child only makes them believe that violence is the answer to problems. Don't raise another violent person. We have enough in the world now.
247703
yes, some people do. I've seen it in public. I've heard children talk about it. Sometimes it's a small smack on the butt - something more embarrassing than physically painful - other times it is clearly child abuse.
948066
Child abuse falls into different categories of abuse. these are: \n\nPhysical injury \nPhysical neglect \nSexual abuse \nEmotional abuse \nNon-organic failure to thrive\n\nsee Lachelle's answr for contacts and report it
1075829
I believe a good spanking never hurt anyone.  I deal with kids all the time that have no respect.  If I acted like some kids I see today, my parents would have given me a good butt whippin!  And I woulda deserved it!  I grew up respecting my parents and backtalking was NOT tolerated.  \nI have nephews now, one of them is soooo BAD!  He backtalks, cusses and even hits his mom.  She just yells at him.  So, he yells back.  He doesn't do that when he's with me; I would spank his butt.  And when we are shopping and he starts to throw a fit, we leave everything where it is and leave the store, he gets nothing.  I've found with this one in particular though, spankings don't work so much now that he is older.  I make him write a paragraph or two, even a page sometimes on why he shouldn't do what he did. \nFor instance, he yelled at and back talked his grandmother.  He had to write a page telling me why he should be nice to her and all the things that she does for him.  By the time he finished he was in a better mood and hugged his grandma.  He is an exceptional writer now, too!  LOL  He's had lots of practice!
208919
i have three kids and when it comes to spanking them when it needs to be done i do it. i dont spank all the time most of the time its time out but some times they need a good spanking and there is nothing wrong with that. there are too many kids today that are just unruley and mouthy and that really need a spanking. parents today spend to much time trying to be friends and the perfect parents instead of being real parents and that aggrivates me.
406837
Children need to be raised in a loving environment - one that also includes discipline.  Lack of discipline and consequence will leave your children confused and lacking skills as they grow.\n\nThere is nothing wrong with spanking a child to reinforce punishment, when they are young.  \n\nDiscipline is not violence.
667019
its illegal period regardless if a parent permits to it. It is even illegal for a parent to hit u, its called child abuse and the standards have evolves, Social Workers would go into a frenzy if they saw the slightest bruise on a child, or if a child told them that their parents hit on them.\n\nIt was once acceptable to beat your children as it was seen as discipline and teachers especially nuns and priest in catholic schools used to whack the BEJESUS out of children with rulers. That would be, id say 15+ years ago.\n\nNowadays, thats a teacher up for the grounds of dismissal, a criminal case of battery, and a civil case for pain and suffering, the humiliation, and punitive damages.
1058798
Not as long as it is a 'spanking' and not physically abusive, leaving marks and/or bruises.
204274
I wouldn't say that abuse is getting more frequent.  The interpretation of child abuse is getting stricter thus giving the appearance of more child abuse.