First off a little smack on the butt is NOT child abuse. Whoever decided to start calling disipline child abuse doesn't know what they are talking about. I very openly admit that my kids get a smack on the butt with my open hand if they need it. It keeps them in line, and treats me, their dad, and others with respect. They don't fear us, and they rarely ever even need it. My first steps are taking away the fun things from them, and when that doesn't work then they know what's next.

Secondly child abuse is way out of hand now a days. I can tell you I was at the mall, and my son who was 7 at the time was acting up. I wouldn't buy him this video game, and he started yelling at me. So I gave him a nice swat, and had people starring at me like I was some horrible person. I'm sorry I won't take any crap from a 7 year old. There is no reason for it. He as well as my girls have chores around the house, and they have to earn their stuff. If they don't do it, they lose what they don't clean up, and their allowence.

Now as far as the school system I don't believe teachers should have the right to hit a child on the behind. That's what parents are for. If the parents can't do their job in raising their kids, then maybe they shouldn't have any. I can proudly say that my son (now 10), my 8 year old daughter, and my 6 year old other daughter treat their teachers with respect. I have heard nothing but good from their teachers these last few years they have been in school. My kids talk of the "bad" kids at school. Only I feel that it's lack of attention at home. So the child is acting out to get the attention at school.

Maybe it's time for parents to step up, and pay attention to their kids. Who their friends are, what they are watching on tv, listening to on the stereo, and games they are playing. They need to respect their kids, and teach their kids respect. A little smack here or there isn't hurting the kid just their feelings, and then they learn from it.