Q: Is it illegal or child abuse to spank your child?
Not "spank" to where you are leaving bruises or marks on the child. Just a spanking when appropriate. I ask this bc today the director over the head start program my child attends sent out an email to all the teachers to send home to with the parents stating that there has been a couple of incidents at the schools where a parent has spanked their child and that this isn't ok and that the teachers are to report it to DHR for child abuse/neglect. I feel that this is rather excessive. All the research I have done states that spanking isn't against any law and is not a reason to report someone for child abuse. So I really just want to make sure that I am right about this. Thank you in advance.
A: you are correct. normal spanking is not against the law or considered child abuse. however, the school may have its own policies that prevent it so if thats the case, it would be wise to avoid that type of discipline when on school grounds or in view of a school employee.
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