Is It Illegal To Spank Your Child?

By Amy E. Feldman

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Is it illegal to spank your child?

In 2011, a child was walking with her mother and father in a Massachusetts bus terminal when her father yelled at her to shut up, and spanked her.  He was arrested for assault and battery. According to the ABA Journal, 43 countries ban corporal punishment outright; The U.S. isn't one of them. In fact, 77 percent of Americans agree that it's sometimes necessary to disciple a child with corporal punishment.

The Massachusetts case went to the state's highest court, which just overturned the man's conviction, finding that the reasonable use of force is legal if it's for the purpose of promoting the welfare of a minor. Delaware is the only state currently to outlaw any physical punishment by a parent.  In the other states, the laws vary but in general mild physical force is allowed so long as it is not intended, nor does it, cause severe physical or emotional injury to a child, in which case the law will definitely knock some sense into those people's heads.