The Massachusetts Supreme Court's new ruling regarding disciplinary methods may shock many parents. For the first time, there are legal guidelines for the use of physical punishment that rely on parents to determine what is "reasonable" and "harmful."
The ruling states that spanking is permissible if "the force is reasonably related to the purpose of safeguarding or promoting the welfare of the minor . . . the force used neither causes, nor creates a substantial risk of causing physical harm . . . or severe mental distress."
Child psychologist Dr. Ellen Braaten says, "What one person might think is reasonable is not necessarily what another person might think is reasonable," which could create a discrepancy. Parent, Sarah Stokes, states, "I do think that it teaches, either overtly and subtly, that violence at some level is sanctioned and okay, and I just don't believe that."