I've no children but I am aware of the policies of local school systems and there is no spanking allowed in any of the immediate local schools.

And too......as far as I remember (not that I ever needed it *dons my silver painted "halo" hanger*) they outlawed spanking in the school system I grew up in when I was about 7 y/o.

Nowadays though........a spanking ain't gonna cut it for all the kids (of any age) who have NO respect for any authority what-so-ever! Respect is becoming a lost commodity to some school age kids. The "I know everything and you can't tell me what to do" attitude has become much more prevailing........and the ability to disipline your very own child has become a scary egg shell walk. Children now think any spanking is considered child abuse and I've heard of cases where the kids contact authorities or threaten contacting them if they get a spanking.

I abhor child abuse.............but I am none the worse for the wear of some of the spankings I got when I was young and "bad". As a matter of fact.......I might be a better person BECAUSE of them! Don't get me wrong......my dad was an asshole.......but I am living proof that no matter the horrible circumstances one grows up in......you make your own choices and you cannot hold others responsible for your actions (say.....13 or older.......younger children are a possible exception). When you become of an age when there is no doubt of right and wrong.....and you continually choose the wrong path and act out in a socially unacceptable way........it is you and you alone who is at fault! The consequences should fit the "crime". I don't know that spankings are a suitable consequence.......but children being as materialistic as they seem in this day and age.......I'd say, take something they hold dear away from them till they realize and prove and acknowledge that they have wronged and feel remorse and have changed their ways! And.............don't trust them any further than you can thow them......because they might say one thing but their actions might say another. Personally.......I think this new generation has to learn to earn/revive our (elders in authority) respect again. In years to come........if things don't change........we are going to be in deep trouble.

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Minds are like parachutes. They only work when they are open.

~Thomas Dewar~