http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/06/19/f-spanking.html
The Canadian Senate is proposing an anti-spanking bill, Bill S-209, to the House of Commons, which would get rid of Section 43 of Canada's Criminal Code. (This section allows parents and teachers to use reasonable force to discipline a child and correct their behaviour).
So, what do you think about parents beating their kids? Yes, no, maybe? If you were a parent, would you discipline your kids with a spanking?
Before I even get into what I think is right or wrong, I want to know what defines “reasonable force.” Your idea of reasonable force may be different then mine and this term is very ambiguous and can lead to many problems. Who defines this term? Who has the authority to tell me how a “reasonable force” should be defined?
I personally think that spanking is not needed…especially not from teachers. If I had a child and a teacher spanked them, I would file a complaint. What’s the problem with simply teaching your child right from wrong with words and explaining the consequences of continuing the undesired behaviour?
I think one of the main problems in today’s society is that parents love to spoil their children with everything that they want. Parents are so ecstatic to have children and want to give them anything they want until the age of about 6 or 7. After this age, they expect their children to grow up, stop asking for everything they see and stop the whining. Obviously, this is unrealistic since the child has grown up getting everything they want – this is what they’re used to, so naturally, they’d expect to get everything they want! Parents don’t seem to understand this so punish their child, when in fact they should be punished! If they simply bring their child up without spoiling them, and teaching them right from wrong from the very beginning of their childhood, there would be no use for spanking.
I don’t think that parents understand the consequences of spanking their child. The psychological effects could be intolerable (regardless of whether or not the spanking was severe), that child could potentially grow up and beat their child, and so on. I just don’t think it is worth it. There are other ways of punishing – putting your child in the corner, taking away the T.V. , videogames, phone calls, etc. Spanking is not the only option.
My big question: If the House of Common passes this Bill S-209, what repercussions would be followed if a parent does beat their child? Jail? Fees? Community service?
What are your thoughts on this?
SS
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3 comments:
This is a great issue to discuss, and it is interesting to see that this is being discussed in Parliament.
I would guess that many more are the children who are being, and have been spanked, than are those that are not, and have not been spanked.
I do not have children of my own, so perhaps I do not have the same authority as one who does would; however, I did do some research on the topic a few years ago.
Personally, I believe that when a parent spanks a child, it teaches the child that hitting is acceptable behaviour when one is angry. Then, when the the child becomes angry at someone, he or she may be inclined to hit that person.
Another part of the problem is that many times, when a parent hits a child, it is done in anger, and this can be damaging to the parent-child relationship. The child can develop intense feelings of anger and hatred toward the parent.
It is difficult to say, because on the other hand, I do not doubt that there are times when a child gets so out of control that maybe a spanking is necessary.
What I am interested in is how the government makes these types of decisions.
I assume they consult with experts, such as psychologists, because they do conduct a lot of research into things like this.
I wonder what steps the government has taken to inform itself appropriately on the issue?
Speaking as a parent myself, and spanking is not an available discipline in my household. I 100% agree with both SS and Jeffrey, that spanking is (i) often carried out in anger by the parent, and (ii) teaches that hitting is okay. Removing rewards (videogames / tv / phone) is a more
effective punishment, teaching that significant consequences will result from their actions. Spanking is a lazy copout for parents unwilling to take the time and explain _why_ a behaviour requires correction. And,
"because mommy / daddy said so" wasn't what I had in mind. :)
Where a parent contravenes Bill S-209, jailtime is too severe and fines are too unrelated to the offending behaviour. I would prefer to see a regimen of mandatory parental education and community service.
This absolutly amusing! I was wondering when this would be brought up by the government. Coming from an asian family discipline is as common as having a meal. Discipline dpending on the form serves as a correction tool for kids. It's sorta like telling them if you cross the line you will be punished and its like a social conditioning. I mean in some countries you break the law and you could die so having a form of discipline for children prevents them from breakign the law at a later age and saving the parents the heart ache of seeing their child killed. However, like you mentioned, reasonable force must be instilled becuase flogging your child half to death doesn't exactly help, it might cause some other implications... Abuse is another issue, becaues it may be difficult to discern which is abuse and which is discipline... So many issues to consider!
-SW
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