If you saw a parent spanking their child in public, would you intervene and call them out for that and tell them they are wrong?
September 5, 1994 London, Ontario. A family from Illinois was on their way home from a vacation in Canada when they stopped for lunch in London. I remember this story being in the news because I was living in London at the time attending graduate school.http://www.nospank.net/n-h93.htmThe case of an American tourist, David Peterson, who was caught red-handed in a Canadian parking lot last fall as he gave a spanking to his 5-year-old daughter.An outraged Canadian witness called 911 and confronted the overwrought father with the news that it is against the law to spank in Canada.It isn't, exactly. But London, Ontario, police charged Peterson with assault, and he spent a night in jail. He returned voluntarily this week, according to news reports, to stand trial and clear his name. In a not-guilty verdict rendered today, Ontario provincial Judge John Menzies agreed that the father's punishment fit the daughter's crime and therefore met Canada's legal tests of appropriate discipline.With respect to the original question, I have two preteens and I do not spank, ever. I was spanked as a child, and I remember being terrified at times. In my opinion there are better ways to discipline without resorting to physical violence. I have witnessed parents spanking their children in public. Typically I stop to observe with the intent that the spanker would see me watching, hoping this would be enough to make them stop, and it works. If, while watching, I determined the adult is using excessive/unreasonable force I would likely intervene and call the police for the protection of the child. Am I overstepping my bounds? Probably, but we are talking about the welfare of a child. I have never called the police about this and I don't recall it crossing my mind either. The problem with intervening is you only have a very small piece of evidence out of what is likely a much larger story. Use your best judgement for the protection of children.
Would you stop a parent from spanking their child in public?
If it isn’t harmful “abuse” stay out of it. Swatting a child’s rear-end isn’t going to cause harm, but it will get the attention of the child.IF it IS abuse - call CSD or the police - do NOT interfere unless the child’s life is in actual danger - as stated previously, when they get home, it will be much worse - just as interfering with an adult beating on another adult. Don’t do that. I know from personal experience how much worse it gets at home. CALL someone. Get a photo if you can, without putting the other person in more danger, or yourself.
Is it OK for a parent to spank a child in public if the child hurts a toddler?
No Never resort to violence. Take the older child to one side and tell them that their behaviour is unacceptable. You can discipline them by denying them a promised treat or dealing with it at home by removing privileges . Either way a child must learn that actions have consequences.If the toddler was hurt by accident, this is a different scenario. A reminder to be more careful and watchful of the younger child would be sufficient.Remember you are teaching your child what is acceptable behaviour and hitting isn’t something you want him to learn. Discipline is about teaching and requires you be consistent and patient. Teachable moments happen and respond to them genuinely and with respect and your child will respond in the same way.
What are your views about public spanking?
I think that you should give them twice their age if in public. You should find a semi-public place( like a bathroom, the car or a corner of the store. If your kid is 3 or over, I would give them really hard spanks. In my family acting up in public, is a huge deal. They come to work with me a bit and if they do anything in public it is a big deal. They get twice hteir age of really hard spanks. it has pants on, but when we get home they get another spanking.
What is your opinion about spanking in public?
This morning at church, there a was a little girl (5 or 6) just being a terror. She was sassing her mom and dad and just misbehaving. We had a dinner after church today, and after the service was dismissed I saw the father taking the girl to the back of the church. I had to go back to our sunday school classroom and get something I had left and when I got there, he was giving the girl a spanking. I just apologized for walking in and went back outside the classroom. He by no means abused this child, just gave her in my opinion a well deserved spanking. However, I question the place he did it. People were walking by this classroom to get to our fellowship hall to eat. You could the girl was very embarrassed and I don't think the point of a spanking should be to humiliate the child. I think he should of taken her outside or somewhere else. If the need ever arises (very, very seldom does) I will tell my daughter we are about to take a trip back to the car, and she knows that means a spanking and she will straighten up, if I do have to spank I make sure it is not in front of anyone. What is your opinion about spanking in public and do you think this father made a bad call in this situation?