Paddling Legislation Deserves Back Seat

I was disappointed to read about the attempt by Assemblyman Mickey Conroy (R-Orange), to reintroduce a bill (AB 101) requiring parents to paddle their delinquent children in open court. (“Can We Really Legislate Good Parenting?” Jan. 20).

I realize that Conroy’s intentions are probably good. Crime by minors is a problem. But such shortsighted laws as Conroy proposes are of no benefit to society. Here’s why: Violence begets violence, as countless social and psychological studies have shown. A child physically abused and humiliated by public paddling is more likely to exercise violence in the future. This kind of law works against those it aims to protect.

But perhaps the more important reason to abandon the bill is the double standard it is based on. What right do we have to be violent with another person simply because he or she is under 18? Should adults who commit crimes be paddled in open court? Should spouses hit one another to resolve their conflicts? Should parents be allowed to hit their children for disobedience?

In Sweden it is against the law for parents to spank their children. Children know they are valued and they are well aware of the law. Since the law passed in 1979, juvenile violent crimes against people have decreased.

There is no perfect solution. Juvenile crimes are complex and are not always due to poor parenting. But if society decides that the government should do something about this issue, we should start educating all parents in ways to communicate and lovingly discipline their children. I’d wager this would save millions more dollars than it would cost.

And for those still clinging to the biblical admonition “spare the rod, spoil the child” to justify hitting their children, the “rod” was a shepherd’s cudgel used to guide the herd of sheep, not pummel them.

JUDY STORY

San Clemente