What are the legal ramifications when it comes to a parent that decides to spank a child in public. To be more specific, in California, @ DL?
I witnessed this during one of my trips years ago: a woman spanking her five year old on the tram to the park. Another guest had beat me to a CM to report it, but I didn't hear the outcome.
Any info?

Okay, I know this is a touchy subject... but I'd like to know if there was something more I could have done...

I don't entirely know the answer to your question. Usually to report someone to CPS, you would need to know his/her name and other such information.

One thing to keep in mind is that spanking in and of itself is not illegal. It becomes a problem when there is a visible injury to a child: bruises (usually, though, you'll need a history of bruises for it to be considered a problem,) broken bones, broken skin, missing teeth, etc.

I don't want this to become a discussion of whether spanking is right or wrong; that's a choice each parent must make for his/herself. I do believe that we can all agree that beating a child/ child abuse is horrible, wrong, ugly, completely baffling, sickening, etc, etc.

Adrienne K

Some lady in Hawaii actually told my sister in law off for spanking my neice. Talk about walking a mile - my sis-in-law tried everything she could before finding that spanks were the only thing that worked on her (strong willed and stubborn, not unlike her auntie ;))

Your right AdrienneK, this topic could go on and get ugly.
I've seen parents discipline their children that way at DL. I wouldn't do it...especially in a public place. (I don't spank my children at all). Its looks awful. The less attention I draw to myself and my child's bad behavior the better.

But, there are times when I see kids (and sometimes my own), that I think...smack that kid and make him mind! Terrible of me...but I think it.

In another thread there was mentioning of children with disabilities being able to get away with bad behavior just because they're disabled. My children can attest to the fact, that my disabled kid gets into just as much trouble as them. I don't have to hit her to make her behave (I use other tactics)...but believe me, she knows when she's in big trouble with me!

But, parents all raise their children different...and unless I too see abuse, its none of my business. I personally wouldn't tell a CM that a parent was spanking a child. What could a CM do? Now, if they kid was being beaten...then I would see the need to interfer with help.:(

I agree with Mad4Mky that if it were more than swats on the butt I'd be calling someone quick....I don't 'spank' Brandy because I don't need to, she responds to other behavior modification just fine....time outs work wonderful with her and even a stern voice will correct her behavior in most cases.....but I have seen that situation where a mom has tried every thing under the sun and still hasn't gotten the behavior under control until a couple solid swats on the behind were administered..... here in California the law actually allows 3 swats with an open hand on the buttocks as acceptable "spanking" ....any corpral punishment that leaves more than a temporary red mark on the body is illegal here....and by temporary I mean the hand print from a swat must be gone in less than 30 minutes.... some skin types react to swats differently but no bruising can occur as a result of the swats

Wow, there's actually a legal definition now? I guess that's a good thing: as much to protect the kids as to protect their parents.

ok, I know this is supposed to be a serious thread...

But I'm going to be at DLR on Dec.1-4, and if I see any of you spanking your kid...I'm turning you into the child spanking police! That's it...no excuses. Disneyland is about fun and families. No spanking while I'm there!

(now if I smack my kid on the head just to get her attention...just ignore me...);)

Mad4Mky.... things around here have takens a sudden shift and it turns out that unless a MAJOR catasrophe happens I'll be in Anaheim the afternoon of the 4th to be at the park on the 5th.. what time are you guys heading home?

Originally posted by mammasilva
Mad4Mky.... things around here have takens a sudden shift and it turns out that unless a MAJOR catasrophe happens I'll be in Anaheim the afternoon of the 4th to be at the park on the 5th.. what time are you guys heading home?

Good for you!! Bummer for us...we are probably leaving around noon or so on the 4th. Not enough time to do anything, but run into the park and say "bye" to our favorite place. :crying:
What time will you be down?

not till around 3... check in time at the hotel..we'll leave here around six am....enough time to throw our stuff in the room and get a couple hours in the park Tuesday night.. all day on Walts b/d...go over for a few hours on Thursday then head for home..

I am not a huge spanking advocate, but if it's open-handed on the buttocks I am NOT going to tattle on a parent. Yes, I agree that disciplining a child in public is not something I would advocate (better to take them to the restroom or away from distracting crowds) ... And anything else -- close-fisted punch, back-handed smack on the face, a kick to the groin, use of an implement such as silverware, serving spoon, coat hanger, etc. is different, of course. "This hurts me as much as it hurts you" -- it has to be open-handed because the parent MUST feel it too.

But goodness, how politically correct have we gotten that we go running to a CM to report a SPANKING? I find THAT more troubling than the spanking itself.

[Lani's standard disclaimer: I am not a parent and neither do I play one on TV.]

I'll be there on Dec 5, for sure, Mammasilva, so I wanna fer sure, at the very least, say hello and meet you and Brandy!!

Adrienne K

I feel like a little kid again....waiting for that first trip to Disneyland...I "knew" I really really wanted to be there on the 5th but the "responsible adult" in me just couldn't see a way to make it happen...then the "disneyaddict" in me said ok this is a ONCE in a lifetime thing and other things will still be around on the 10th or whenever....talked to my husband, who just does NOT get it but is tolerant of my "weirdness for Disney" and short of a major disaster Brandy, my niece and nephews and I will be at the Hub both at 11:30 for the "official" b/d and at 2 for the 'real' celebration...of those who love Walt and all he stood for :)

Originally posted by lani
a kick to the groin[/SIZE]

That is a punishment method I haven't considered or even heard of. As a recipient of said kick more than once in my life (by "friends" not my mother) I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy (or my kids).

I don't know how i feel about this subject. Personally, I don't believe in spankings...I don't think they work...unless you want your child to "fear" you. Fear is much different than respect and understanding.

But, I doubt HIGHLY I'd report someone to a CM for spanking their child in public. I have however called the police on several occasions when I see people with children jumping around in cars without seatbelts all the while the adult/driver is fastened securely in their seat. In that situation, you have a license plate # that could be tracked.

At Disneyland however...what do you do? Describe the person to a CM? "It's that person over there...the one with the kid". Uhhh...yeah. Or, do you tell the person "excuse me, but I'm going to report you to that CM over there, kindly come with me."

Seriously, what could/would they do that you couldn't do yourself? Kick them out of Disneyland? Makes me really wonder though, what they would do in that situation. If someone reported someone else.

**Monica

I HATE seeing kids getting spanked ANYWHERE ANYTIME !!!

It's drives me crazy !

I hate seeing children cry.

I don't believe spanking is absolutely wrong, but I do believe that it should be a last resort. The only times my mom spanked me or my brother was after all other ways of discipline failed (i.e. warnings, time outs, priviledges being taken away...). I agree that spankings should only be open-handed on the rear and also not out in public. I've babysitted many kids who really needed one, but never got one 'cause of a lack of discipline. I mean, these are kids whom are never taught to have respect for anyone, property, or animals. "Oh well, kids will be kids." is the excuse given by these parents. :rolleyes: Some are just too lazy to instill any sense of right or wrong into their children. I have had a couple of dogs that were terrorized by some neighbor kids, due to such a lack of parental control. My mom would complain, and the parent would just shrug it off. :mad:

Anyways, that's my two cents.

I do understand that kids need discipline and why it's done but I just feel so sad to see children crying even if they have behaved badly.

I think the only part of Ca that has (or at least tried) to outlaw spanking is Oakland.

Why should they outlaw spanking...I love to get spanked...especially when I dress up like Minnie...I love to get spanked really hard from Mickie...