On Friday, a Texas judge
sentenced Rosalina Gonzales to five years probation and ordered her to take parenting classes, after she admitted that she had spanked her child. Prosecutors said the woman used her hand and did not leave bruises on the 2-year-old.Gonzales currently does not have custody of the two-year-old victim or her other two children.
According to the Texas Attorney General's website, spanking is not illegal. "Texas law allows the use of force," it reads, "but not deadly force, against a child by the child's parent, guardian, or other person who is acting in loco parentis."
The website goes on to describe where the line between spanking and abuse might be. It seems the AG's opinion is that if it's in the buttocks, the parent uses their open hand, a brush or a belt and doesn't leave a "bruise, welt, or swelling," it's likely OK.
But Gonzales' case and especially what seemed like the judge's complete ban on spanking has ignited a great debate among parents on the Web.
Nancy French wrote:
As the mother of a toddler, I think it's important for moms to come forward and quit being afraid of discipline that's been tested by time. Moms tend to keep this a private matter, to avoid conflict or hard discussions with other parents. However, the Gonzales case should cause us to speak out in protest of an overreaching court.
That's why I'm saying that I've spanked all three of my kids, and they aren't raised yet. Spanking is far less emotionally manipulative than twenty nagging reprimands, it's fast, and it's certainly effective. And by the way, it's legal.
So, Judge Longoria, come and get me
P L (lamorpa) wrote:
Psychological punishment can be more cruel and damaging, than physical punishment. A well-timed swat can teach a child which behaviors to avoid. I received spankings when I was a kid, and to be truthful, I deserved every one of them. One in particular taught me a life lesson that has served me very well. After the age of 7, I got perfect attendance awards pretty much every year. Thanks,Dad.
Camela Mastors (imtgu) wrote:
Never, never, ever hit a child. Ever
joan johnson (jmj77) wrote:
I was once told by my children's doctor that any more that one slap was not for correction it was for the parents anger. While I have to admit I did spank my children. It was never more that once, which would never hurt them but more intended to gain their attention. So while I am for spanking anyone who bruises or knocks their child down. To me this is abuse. Besides spanking with an open hand can hurt your hand just and much as their butts. So I feel that the judge took a family matter to an extreme. Kids do need to be disciplined and if a parent chooses this path then, unless it is abusive the law needs to butt out.
Matthew Johnson (Landerrugby) wrote:
No child needs to be spanked , all they need is an attentive parent willing to pay attention and be consistent.
george busch (GuitReal) wrote:
She must have been really laying it on the kid if they arrested her for spanking her child in Texas. And they took all 3 of her children. There must be more to this story than what is said here.
Colourless Green (thedr9wningman) wrote:
Just because things have traditionally been awful doesn't mean they should persist. Should we re-introduce the Black Plague because, you know, that was something that happened in the good old days? What about a 72 hour work week? Anyone? How about child labor, witch trials, stoning, public hangings?! REINSTATE THE KING! Take away women's rights to vote!
Kathleen Volcjak (KSV) wrote:
Growing up, my siblings and I were all spanked. One reacted by refusing to use corporal punishment on his children, two of us felt no injustice and judiciously spanked our own. Whether it is abusive or not comes down to the relationship between the spanker and the spankee.
Dave Howard (Valhakar) wrote:
How can she be charged with something that is not a crime?
Elwin Lindke (EHL) wrote:
There is a difference between spanking a child and beating a child. At times the only way to reach the brain is through the seat. If in fact the mother spanked the child I really don't think the judge used good judgment when passing sentence. We have already had one generation of Dr. Spock children with the don't spank them and that has been enough.
Holly Smith (HollyNE) wrote:
I'm a little confused as to why this woman was even arrested if 'spanking' is not illegal per Texas law. Here's the deal, folks, you cannot use the term spank because it conjures up the most extreme circumstances. A swat done without anger and with explanation to the child shows them that you care deeply about their safety. Some children do not need this sort of discipline. And most children over the age of 6 do not either. However, for small children who cannot reason, pain is a very good way to convince them to change their behavior. That's just reality. We have pain receptors all over our body as a way to tell us that something is wrong. Frankly, emotional manipulation, bribery, is far more abusive than an occasional spank.
Clifton Harty (Legalsnow) wrote:
I'll be honest. I have never spanked my kids and it has worked out just fine. However, the judge was completely wrong on this as it appears that what the mother did actually wasn't even against the law. Also what are the prosecutors doing prosecuting this case. I think this actually may be abuse of prosecutorial power since they even admit that it isn't actually a crime. For a parent to be separated from her kids for this is ridiculous. But honestly did she have a public defender? I mean what kind of lawyer would actually allow her to plead guilty to this. If she did that person should be disbarred. This would have been overturned on appeal. Hard to do when she pleads.
Sean S (Foop) wrote:
Kids are not born well behaved. People always say "oh you are so lucky to have such a well behaved child." It isn't luck, it took LOVE,HARD WORK, and DEDICATION. Luck has nothing to do with it, and it isn't easy.
adapted from The two-way
