(I'm sorry, I'm not even going to attempt a link. They never work for me, but by all means, use Google. I'm also not posting as anonymous, for the sake of those who would rather focus on that.)

So amidst the news of equal marriage, the SC is looking at passing laws on public discipline of children that includes spanking. Rules being:

1.The use of force was "reasonable";

2.The use of force was related to the child's welfare; and

3.The use of force left no permanent or lasting injury.

Obviously, there's a lot of *if, ands, or buts* that could be present.

Personally, I can only assume that's the point. It would make disciplining your child no longer just scary in that others might think ill of you, or even ensue a fight, but make parents terrified they could face legal action for trying to raise their child in the way they see as best. Obviously, the extent of "caring about the welfare of children" stops at home life, because these laws only reach public areas. So basically, it will keep others who are uncomfortable with it from having to see it. Plus teach our kids that it's ok to act up in public, along with fear the home -where they can face punishment for it. <but that's just my opinion. Even after being beaten for the majority of my adolescence with my sister, I still truly believe in the difference between a corrective spank and demeaning and repetitive lashes.

Anyway, so do you feel these laws are a good idea? Bad? What are your thoughts on how, if passed, they will affect the lives and relationships between child, parent and stranger? Positives and negatives?