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New Zealanders petition to reverse anti-spanking bill

Experience shows anti-spanking laws do more harm than good...

"All parents must set a strong example of faith in the home. Your children are being subject to much error and much soul destruction outside your home. Discipline and truth must be brought to the children. The greatest responsibility for these children will be given to the parents. Guard their souls well.” - Our Lady of the Roses, July 1, 1973

LifeSiteNews.com reported on June 23, 2008:

A police review shows that New Zealand's new anti-spanking law has not reduced the number of physical abuse cases against children, but it has deterred good parents from properly disciplining their children.  The report is the result of a three month review that took place directly after the passing of the bill and a separate three month review which was initiated six months later.

New Zealanders are today presenting parliament with a petition calling for the law to be struck down.

Family First NZ National Director Bob McCoskrie explained that the police review, which shows an almost 300% jump in the number of parents being investigated for minor acts of physical discipline since the law was passed, indicates that there has been almost no reduction in actual child abuse incidents.

"The worst aspect is that the number of actual child assaults are now at almost the same rate as before the law change," he said.

McCoskrie also observed, "When the author of the law change Sue Bradford tells us that the law change was never intended to deal with the epidemic of child abuse and child violence, it is quite obvious that this law change was not about solving a problem - it was about telling parents how to raise their children. And parents who are already doing a great job have responded by saying 'we're doing fine thanks.'"

The director of Family First criticized the law for wasting police resources. "What this particular review shows is that police resources are being wasted on attending and investigating smacking and minor acts of physical discipline, yet less than 5% are serious enough to warrant prosecution," he said.

"We are now also seeing clear evidence of good parents being prosecuted in courts for correcting their children in ways that were promised would not be caught under the new law."

He concluded, "In other words, the anti-smacking law has failed to stem the tide of child abuse, but has targeted many good parents and grandparents with the trauma and fear of police investigation and CYF involvement. Parents will feel very nervous reading this report, knowing the increasing level of investigations for minor acts."

New Zealand's anti-spanking bill was first passed by parliament in May 2007.  The bill essentially tells parents that they are never justified in using force to discipline their children, having eliminated from the Crimes Act the right for a parent to use "reasonable force" when correcting a child.

The bill was widely opposed, which delayed its passage for two years, until an amendment was proposed that gave police the power to deem some complaints against parents as insignificant. The bill eventually passed after both political parties "whipped" their MPs into voting in favor of it.

Family First NZ is presenting the petition against the law to the New Zealand parliament today, invoking authorities to reverse the law.

"The massive response to the petition, combined with recent polls showing 85% support for changing the law, demonstrates just how unpopular the law is. The petition is a simple plea from New Zealanders - don't criminalize the actions of good parents who are trying to raise law-abiding and productive citizens of the future," said McCoskrie.

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American College of Pediatricians: "It's okay for parents to spank"; suggests guidelines...

LifeSiteNews reported on December 3, 2007:

The American College of Pediatricians (ACP), a national medical association of licensed physicians and healthcare professionals who specialize in the care of infants, children, and adolescents, has issued a position statement on the use of spanking by parents, just as the Massachusetts legislature takes up a bill to ban that form of parental discipline.

Despite scientific evidence suggesting that reasonable corporal punishment by parents is beneficial to children, the United Nations has pushed nations to ban parents from using spanking as a form of discipline.  That interference with parental rights is one of the issues that has caused much consternation over the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

ACP carefully reviewed the available research on corporal punishment and concludes, in its position statement on the subject, that disciplinary spanking by parents can be effective when properly used. "It is clear that parents should not solely rely upon disciplinary spanking to accomplish control of their child's behavior," says the just-released position statement. "Evidence suggests that it can be a useful and necessary part of a successful disciplinary plan."

Den Trumbull, MD, FCP, principal author of the statement explained, "When a child defies a parent's instruction, spanking is one of a few options parents can consider to correct the misbehavior."  Trumbull added: "Spanking is most appropriate with children 2 to 6 years old, and when milder types of correction have failed."

ACP has created a one page handout for parents titled "Guidelines for Parental Use of Disciplinary Spanking".  The guidelines advise that spanking "should be used only when the child receives at least as much encouragement and praise for good behavior as correction for problem behavior."  It also says that "milder forms of discipline, such as verbal correction, extinction, logical and natural consequences, and time-out should be used initially, followed by spanking when noncompliance persists."

"Spanking should not be administered on impulse or when a parent is out of control," warns the document noting that "a spanking should always be motivated by love, for the purpose of teaching and correcting, and not for revenge or retaliation." 

The guidelines also detail ages when spanking is appropriate.  "Spanking is inappropriate before 15 months of age and is usually not necessary until after 18 months. It should be less necessary after 6 years and rarely, if ever, used after 10 years of age," it says. See the guidelines here: http://www.acpeds.org/fastmedia/pdf/CPGuidelines/media/Guide...

In addition to its policy statement, ACP has published an extensive review of the scientific literature on the subject of corporal punishment and its use in discipline which is available online here:
http://www.acpeds.org/fastmedia/pdf/CPPolicy/media/CPPolicy_...

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The Holy Bible on child discipline...

"He that loveth his son, frequently chastiseth him, that he may rejoice in his latter end, and not grope after the doors of his neighbors." (Ecclesiasticus 30:1)

"A horse not broken becometh stubborn, and a child left to himself will become headstrong." (Ecclesiasticus 30:8)

"Give him not liberty in his youth, and wink not at his devices. Bow down his neck while he is young, and beat his sides while he is a child, lest he grow stubborn, and regard thee not, and so be a sorrow of heart to thee." (Ecclesiasticus 30:11-12)

"He who spareth the rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him correcteth him betimes." (Proverbs 13:24)

"Withhold not correction from a child: for if thou striketh him with a rod he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with a rod, and deliver his soul from hell." (Proverbs 23:13-14)

Note: The failure of a parent to correct a child for serious wrongs is objectively a mortal sin. In Examination of Conscience for Adults: A Guide to Spiritual Progress, Fr. Donald F. Miller lists as a mortal sin, "Have I failed to correct and punish my children for serious wrongs, or to forbid them to enter serious occasions of sin?" (p. 77, +Imprimatur: Archbishop Moses E. Kiley, May 12, 1942).  As Fr. Louis Colin emphasizes, "Who loves much, chastises much." (Love One Another, p. 189)

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"Humanism in your world has been created by satan. You will bring back the adages of old of 'Spare the rod, and you will spoil the child.' Discipline must be returned to the homes.” - St. Joachim, July 25, 1973

The amazing Bayside Prophecies...https://www.tldm.org/directives/directives.htm
These prophecies came from Jesus, Mary, and the saints to Veronica Lueken at Bayside, NY, from 1968 to 1995.

DO NOT FALL DOWN
“Do not fall down in your job as a parent, for you will also be held responsible for the condition of your children’s souls when they are brought to Us.” - Our Lady, February 11, 1971

LACK OF DISCIPLINE AND TRUE DIRECTION
St. Anne - "Oh, how sad to look upon the homes of earth! Whatever has become of motherhood? Bad example, such poor example I see in many homes. You must return to the simple life. The love of riches will destroy your souls.
"Involvement of the parents in worldly pursuits and living take them farther from the graces of Heaven. The greatest offenses to the Father is the lack of discipline and true direction of many parents on earth today. My children--"
Veronica - And Saint Anne is placing her hand out, like this.
St. Anne - "You still have time to make restitution and atonement, and to save your children. You must bring them back to the Sacraments. You must be an example of modesty and true faith to them. Children will learn much by your example." - July 25, 1973

SPARE THE ROD, SPOIL THE CHILD
Veronica - Now Saint Joachim is walking over; he's standing now between Saint Anne and Our Lady. Now Saint Joachim is standing there. He has a long--it looks like a rod in his hand. And he's standing there holding the rod up, and he's saying:

St. Joachim - "In one hand you will hold the Book of life, and the other, discipline."
Veronica - And he's brandishing the stick, like this.
St. Joachim - "Humanism in your world has been created by satan. You will bring back the adages of old of 'Spare the rod, and you will spoil the child.' Discipline must be returned to the homes.”- July 25, 1973

DISCIPLINE AND TRUTH
"All parents must set a strong example of faith in the home. Your children are being subject to much error and much soul destruction outside your home. Discipline and truth must be brought to the children. The greatest responsibility for these children will be given to the parents. Guard their souls well.” - Our Lady July 1, 1973

A HARD PRICE
"Your children must be protected against the world, your world of evil. Better that they starve their bodies than to starve their souls. The seeking of worldly gain has sent many souls into hell. The example being shown in many homes is abominable. Many parents will pay a hard price in the loss of the Kingdom for their lack of discipline and proper direction of the souls entrusted to them.” - Our Lady, May 10, 1973

BE FIRM
"Man has lost his purity. All parents must guard the children's souls. Be firm with your children. The fashions grieve all Heaven.
     "The time is short, so you must make reparation now, and learn to recognize the signs. You must be guided by the light. The Holy Spirit will always be with you. Remain close to My Son. So many will be lost.” - Our Lady, August 5, 1970

ALL ABOUT YOU
"All about you, you see the disobedience of children. In your schools, your government, your churches--where is the respect, the honor to your God?
     "O you blind, foolish parents who do not recognize the products of your laxity! The blow, it will be visited upon you; for as you sow, so shall you reap. Yes, you parents are filling the bodies and minds with luxuries, but you have chosen to starve the souls of your children. Your children are being led farther into the darkness. We do not see the light ahead for them.” - Our Lady, July 25, 1971

GROW MORE DISOBEDIENT AND ARROGANT
“Children grow more disobedient and arrogant to parents. Man has lost the true meaning of love and charity of neighbor.
     "I counsel you all to take your Book of life, Bible, and become knowledgeable of these latter days. The plan for the days ahead is covered quite thoroughly in this Book of life.
     "Man would find his way to the Kingdom if he would cast aside the soul destroyers that he now has in his home, which destroy not only his soul but the souls of innocent children. For the love of money, these soul destroyers flood your earth.
     "The time will come, without your prayers and actions, when you will no longer recognize sin as sin. You will become accustomed to sin as a way of life. The numbers to be saved in the final count will be in the few.” - Our Lady, July 15, 1973

FIRMNESS IS NEEDED
"I wish that all fathers of households stand forth and practice their role. They will use the rod and not permit their children to go astray. Firmness is needed in your world that is filled with laxity, permissiveness, and degradation.
     "Your children have been misled by many who shall answer to the Father. As teachers they have failed in their role. Therefore, as parents you must succeed in yours.” - St. Joseph, March 18, 1973

STRONG DISCIPLINE AND LOVE
"I have asked you, I have directed you, as your Mother, to retire--retire from your world that has been given to satan. You must earn your daily bread by living in the world, but you must not become of the world. Your children must be guided with a strong discipline and love. But this love must be coming from the light, My children, for so few cry love, and they have lost the true meaning of love. For love is your God the Father in Heaven.” - Our Lady, September 7, 1976

ONLY PATH
"Man has set himself into the web of satan by straying from the path given by the Father. Discipline, self-discipline, and obedience to the rules of God are the only path." - Our Lady, November 24, 1973 

Directives from Heaven...

D16 - Role of Parents PDF Logo PDF
D65 - The Home  PDF Logo PDF
D167 - The Family - Part 1 PDF LogoPDF
D168 - The Family - Part 2
PDF LogoPDF
D183 - Sex Education    
PDF LogoPDF 
D235 - Disciplining children   PDF LogoPDF

Articles...

Spare the rod, spoil the child
https://www.tldm.org/news6/child.discipline.htm

Dr. Laura advises parents to use "swift and terrible" correction for defiant children
https://www.tldm.org/news7/DrLaura2.htm

Helping your children grow in maturity through discipline
https://www.tldm.org/news7/ChildDiscipline2.htm

St. Alphonsus Liguori's advice to parents
https://www.tldm.org/News8/AdviceToParents.htm

Are you an "escapist" parent?
https://www.tldm.org/news6/parents1.htm

A major source of today's parenting problems is the psychologizing of our culture
https://www.tldm.org/news6/children2.htm

We encourage everyone to print or email copies of this web page to all the Bishops and all the clergy.  Also, email or send this web page to the news media and as many people as possible.

"My children, My little humble children, I appeal to you as your Mother, go forward on foot, knock on the doors; bring the light to your brothers and sisters.  For those who have been given great grace, much is expected of them." - Our Lady of the Roses,  May 26, 1976

"As disciples of the latter days, My children, much shall be asked of you, but I assure you:  all that you give in faith and charity shall be returned to you threefold." - Jesus, June 1, 1978

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