Smacking and the Law

[Micaiah]

Would you smack your children as in accordance with Scripture if there was the threat of legal action against you, even a jail sentence?

This thread is really only for those who do smack their children, and believe that is what Scripture exhorts parents to do.

 

[P3nguin1]

Just for the sake of clarification, which verses in the Bible command us to smack our children?

 

[HeatherJay]

Would you smack your children as in accordance with Scripture if there was the threat of legal action against you, even a jail sentence?

This thread is really only for those who do smack their children, and believe that is what Scripture exhorts parents to do.

My kids do occassionally get a spanking. There are no laws against a parent spanking a child...there are only laws against abuse of the child.

My definition of a spanking is a smack on the butt...and it's only a last resort to willful disobedience. And it's never done in anger.

If the law ever goes so far as to prohibit parents from disciplining a child then I think the government is far overstepping it's bounds. However, I have seen parents discipline their children in a way that I would consider criminal.

As for the verse in question, I would think the OP is referring to the "spare the rod" Proverb...I can't think of the actual verse offhand. It basically says a man who loves his child will discipline him...a man who hates (does not love) his child will not.


Love, Heather

 

[SelfProtect]

P3nguin1,
I think HeatherJay is talking about this:

Proverbs 13:24
He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline

 

[P3nguin1]

Is "smack" the British term for "spank"?

ie a slap on the bottom?

I just want to make sure we are talking about the same thing here as I was "slapped" across the face frequently as a child.

I do spank my children when it is warranted (which is not often) as a last resort, but I would never "smack" my children anywhere but their bottoms.

 

[sioleabha]

If we have clarified that a "smack" is a spanking and not a slap, then yes, I would. It's more important to me to properly raise and discipline my children according to Scripture than to follow laws that contradict God's word.

 

[E-beth]

I give my son a swat on the bum as often as necessary. He is in the grips of toddlerhood, and he has to learn about danger. When I tell him no twice and he does it anyway, after the third he gets a swat. Most of the time he doesn't even cry.

However, I don't think slaps in the face or beating a kid on the bum or legs with any object is OK. I think that the point can get across in such a way that the body is not bruised and broken.

 

[Tami]

If we have clarified that a "smack" is a spanking and not a slap, then yes, I would. It's more important to me to properly raise and discipline my children according to Scripture than to follow laws that contradict God's word.

Yep, same for me.

 

[Jenna]

I've had to swat a bottom more than a time or two since my daughter has grown to toddlerhood. My goodness, I wish it wasn't necessary, but I know better. I'd rather spank her than have a heart attack because she won't listen to me and runs off into the street.

Still, what bothers me to no end is that you just can't touch your child in public anymore without worrying that some "holier than thou" person is going to call CPS on you. It's odd how the government and their associated agencies can get so wound up over a simple, measured spanking.....but they spend their time focused on that and don't see the kids who are repeatedly beaten and left for dead. I don't think I'll ever understand that. Around here there is always the threat of legal action.

 

[Evening Mist]

I see no problem with extending the current laws protecting adults for assault to include children under that protection, even from their parents. I could press charges against an adult who "smacked" me. I don't see why it should be any different for children.

There are plenty of creative ways to solve behavior problems without hitting. I'm inclined to believe that the average parent is intelligent enough to find them.

 

[Svt4Him]

Would you smack your children as in accordance with Scripture if there was the threat of legal action against you, even a jail sentence?

This thread is really only for those who do smack their children, and believe that is what Scripture exhorts parents to do.

If it was illegal, I wouldn't do it in public. So yes, I would break the law in this case.

 

[Micaiah]

By smack I mean striking with a stick or strap on the hand or bottom for the purpose of discipline. When I was going to school, we got the cane for doing what was wrong. Hitting a child in that way today could result in a jail term.

Strange that what was acceptable twnty five years ago, (showing my age here) is now considered a crime.

Thanks for your posts.

 

[Jenna]

Just for the sake of argument, child rearing doesn't seem to be going so great in the U.S. right now, even with all of these "creative" parents. Funny how we have such unruly kids, and everyone is screaming and pointing fingers at each other. Somehow I think that all of these other forms of discipline are falling short. Of course, that is also not even addressing the fact that parents are held responsible for the acts of their children. I'd say that is a pretty strong reason to want your child to do the right thing.

 

[Evening Mist]

Just for the sake of argument, child rearing doesn't seem to be going so great in the U.S. right now, even with all of these "creative" parents. Funny how we have such unruly kids, and everyone is screaming and pointing fingers at each other. Somehow I think that all of these other forms of discipline are falling short. Of course, that is also not even addressing the fact that parents are held responsible for the acts of their children. I'd say that is a pretty strong reason to want your child to do the right thing.

Actually -- the majority of parents in the US still "smack" their kids.


.

 

[HeatherJay]

By smack I mean striking with a stick or strap on the hand or bottom for the purpose of discipline. When I was going to school, we got the cane for doing what was wrong. Hitting a child in that way today could result in a jail term.

Strange that what was acceptable twnty five years ago, (showing my age here) is now considered a crime.

Thanks for your posts.

I think striking a child ANYWHERE with a stick or a strap IS criminal. That's crossing the line in my opinion. When I spank my children, it's not done with the intention of hurting them. It's done to get their attention, to let them know that I'm done asking them nicely to behave, it's time straighten up. And as others were saying, if they're in a dangerous situation and that danger needs to be impressed upon them (i.e. running into the street) then they might get a spanking.

I believe if you strike your child anywhere other than their bottom, with anything other than your hand, and if any marks are left on that child as a result, you've commited an offense that should be addressed by the authorities.

Why do I need a stick or a strap to discipline my 5 year old?? It's unthinkable for me.

Yes, I know the Bible refers to discipline with a rod...a rod was a 6 foot long stick used to defend sheep from robbers and predators. I prefer to think of that Proverb as being more allegorical in nature, I guess.

If THAT'S what you're talking about...then I think that "smacking" a child IS criminal.

Sorry, that's how I feel on this one.

Love, Heather

 

[Micaiah]

Read the first post. Comments were invited from those who do smack their children. Scripture plainly teaches that smacking a child is part of their training.

 

[HeatherJay]

Read the first post. Comments were invited from those who do smack their children. Scripture plainly teaches that smacking a child is part of their training.

I did read the first post and I replied, because I do spank my children. Once you clarified your definition of 'smacking' I felt the need to post once again, because in no way do I condone what you define as 'smacking'. As I said, there are no laws against spanking...only against child abuse. Don't take it personal...but that is my opinion.

Had you clarified exactly what you meant by 'smacking' in your original post, I doubt you would find many who do condone it. Of the posters who spank their children, I wonder how many agree with 'smacking' them with a strap. I would wager none of them...just a guess here.

Love, Heather

 

[Micaiah]

'...according to Scripture' defines smacking.

Proverbs 10:13
Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has understanding,
But a rod is for the back of him who is devoid of understanding.

Proverbs 13:24
He who spares his rod hates his son,
But he who loves him disciplines him promptly.

Proverbs 22:15
Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child;
The rod of correction will drive it far from him.

Proverbs 23:13
13Do not withhold correction from a child,
For if you beat him with a rod, he will not die.
14You shall beat him with a rod,
And deliver his soul from hell.

Proverbs 26:3
A whip for the horse,
A bridle for the donkey,
And a rod for the fool's back.

Proverbs 29:15
The rod and rebuke give wisdom,
But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother

How do you read the Scriptures on this matter?

 

[HeatherJay]

I read the scriptures to mean that it is the parent's responsibility to teach their children right from wrong, to impart wisdom, sometimes by the means of discipline. If you truly believe that Scripture gives you the right to beat your child across the back with a rod, then what can I say to you? I disagree with you. I think it's wrong, and I believe that kind of discpline is child abuse.

According to OT scripture, it's acceptable to stone to death those guilty of homosexuality or adultery. Would that form of punishment be appropriate today?

Matthew 25:40
...assuredly I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to the least of these, you did it unto Me.


Love, Heather

 

[Micaiah]

Judging by your avatar, you have two beautiful young children. Rearing children is like a big social experiment. We all have our theories on what is right and wrong, good and bad. Trouble is, you don't get to appraise the results properly for many years, after which time it is too late. There is a proverb that goes something like you do not get to see the effectiveness of your parenting until your children are parents.

I was reading an article just recently about the books giving advice on parenting. The advice seems to change depending on the author, and some of the best authors were apparently poor parents.

God has given us the benefit of His insight into rearing children. He knows everything, and created mankind. I think it is wise to follow his instructions.

You still believe it is okay to strike your children. What would you do if even what you now consider to be justified is outlawed?

The injunctions of Proverbs gives a fair bit of scope for hitting home the lesson, but in the end it is up to a parent to decide what is appropriate for the age and offense.

The problem Christians face is that the philosophy that physical punishment is wrong has now been enshrined in law to some extent and restricts what Christian parents are commanded to do.

I am interested to hear from those parents who smack their children how they respond to the legal threats.