Bill would allow spanking in Kansas classrooms that leave marks
A Kansas lawmaker wants to make it legal for teachers and caregivers to spank children.
House member Gail Finney, D-Wichita, said the bill was designed with restoring parental rights in mind.
It would expand the current law, which allows spanking without leaving marks. If Finney’s bill passes, it would allow up to 10 strikes of the hand and smacks hard enough to leave redness and bruising. The proposal has its detractors, who say it is antiquated.
“Twenty, 30 years ago, we didn’t sit in car seats, and we do now. So maybe they did spank or were spanked as a child, but now we have research that shows it is less effective than time out. It tends to lead to more aggressive behavior with a child,” pediatric nurse practitioner Amy Terreros said. She is a child abuse expert at Children’s Mercy Hospital.
The proposed bill comes with the suggestion of lightening the spanking laws and allowing parents or anyone with permission to spank hard enough to leave redness or bruising.
The bill bans hitting a child with fists, in the head or body or with a belt or switch.
Thoughts on the bill?
How far is too far when disciplining your child?
Sound off below!