Rep. Gail Finney (see photo to right) introduced a bill to not just reinforce using corporal punishment wherever kids are, but to do it harder–literally. Finney’s bill called for a definition of spanking that should result in redness or bruising. I’m a strong opponent to spankings, especially with it is in isolation of other option. The research is very clear on this: physical punishment — including spanking, hitting and other means of causing pain– can lead to increased aggression, antisocial behavior, physical injury and mental health problems for children.
Rep. Finney is African-American and that could be inconsequential except for the ugly history of slavery where blacks were beaten into submission. Beating a child when you’re anger is not a substitute for changing a child’s behavior in a positive manner.
Luckily, the bill didn’t get out of House. Check it out.
