This lady is right to a point, but mostly wrong. If the woman did indeed spank her child so hard that the bathroom doors shook, that is probably a bit excessive. But if the woman spanked her child that hard, that is not spanking it is hitting. There is a massive difference between spanking and hitting.

I just looked in the dictionary and there are two DISTINCT definitions for spanking and hitting. The definition for spanking is as follows: To slap on the buttocks with a FLAT OBJECT or with the OPEN HAND, as for punishment.

The definition of hitting is as follows: to deal a BLOW or STRIKE upon. These are two very different definitions, which just goes to show there is a difference between hitting and spanking.

I do however question how the woman could tell how hard a mother was spanking her child from inside a stall, and going just by how much the doors shook. The child could have just been over-dramatic and thrown herself against the walls of the stall, just for effect. I know I used that trick more than once as a kid, and plenty of kids try that trick. There is really no way to tell either way though. 5 year olds aren't babies either, they are young children who are prefectly capable of accepting spankings for punishment.

Just for the record, I am a 25 year old college graduate who has no kids, and I've discussed this topic with many people my age, both people with kids, and without, and the vast majority of people agree with me , the main point being that hitting and spanking are two completely different things. Why this is such a tough concept for some people to grasp I cannot fathom.

Having grown up in a household where spankings and beatings were both administered I am clear on the difference.

Spankings were intended to teach consequences for actions. They were not administered in anger, nor were they administered publically.

Beatings were out of control expressions of anger on the part of parents who had lost sight of all but their emotion. There was no logical progression.

As a small child a swat on the hiney (a swat -- not hard enough to leave a mark or even much of a sting) was a good preventive measure. Kept me from pulling coffee pots down on myself, or otherwise falling into harm's way when I was young enough not to understand why I was expected not to touch or do something.

As an older child -- one who could understand why I was in trouble for something -- discipline and/or punishment was doled out in removal of privileges, groundings, etc.

The over-the-top anger driven physical contact that went on in my household as a child was something completely separate and different. I knew that, even at the time.

If I see a parent being over-the-top with a child I am more likely to call an authority than intervene myself because when angry mom/pop gets confronted, and then takes frightened child and leaves, frightened child very well may get blame and further punishment for a stranger speaking up -- "See what you did.... you made that 'outsider' yell at me." It is a slippery slope though because sometimes authorities won't step in until it's too late.

Raising a child has to be the most challenging, difficult job there is in this world. Those little people are our future leaders. When there is scribble on the wall, vegetable soup in the houseplants, and a small fire in the trashcan it is easy to lose sight of that.

I was never spanked as a child and I am a firm believer in peace as an adult. I disagree with the police officer who argues that spanking a child is a form of correction. It may be correct the behavior when the "spanker" is around, but when the "spanker" leaves the scene of the crime (thought i'd include some lingo for our cop buddy), the child has not learned anything other than "if I misbehave in the presence of this authoritarian figure, I will get hurt." Further, the child has learned that aggression is the best way to quell problems and reach solutions. This is only a little bit true. Solutions, as we know from our misadventures in Iraq, are more about diplomacy and less about violence.

I can understand both points of view. However, remember, back in the day, all my mother had to do was give me "the look" it was like having the fear of god put into you. It all came sdown to respect the children should have for their parents and the parents to make sure they earn it.

38 yrs old no children yet