On 19 Feb 2006, 0:- wrote:

The topic - particularly the question of when physical punishment
becomes abuse - lay at the heart of a Hamilton County Municipal Court
case in Cincinnati that involved former City Councilman Sam Malone.

He was found not guilty of domestic violence on Friday. He had been
accused of beating his 14-year-old son with a belt for disrespecting a
teacher.

The teenager suffered welts on his arms, legs, chest and buttocks.

So did he crossed "the line", ignoranus kane0? ;-)

Keeping youngsters busy and redirecting their behavior before trouble
starts represent the best strategies, Dublin psychologist Robert
Fathman said.

A spoken reprimand usually suffices - followed by a task or chore
"that benefits the injured party."

The 60-year-old father of four grown children was fond of making them
clean his car as punishment.

Fathman serves as president of the nonprofit Center for Effective
Discipline in Columbus - which opposes physical punishment.

Hah! hah! hah! This Dr. Fathman is a real character! Do you know
him, Kane? ;-) So anti-spanking zealotS now think that cleaning
a car is better than spanking!

Doan