I have no children but I've done some study on the subject of corporal punishment.

Most parents, even the abusive ones, dedicate their lives to their family, either voluntarily or involuntarily (via social demand).

This new law is directly in line with the war on drugs, tobacco, alcohol, abortion and now parental discipline.

I'm sure glad I'm not the kid who reported his mom for going out drinking, just like teacher told him to do. Things'll really be great when she gets home from jail.

Most parents are not learned in Behaviour Modification techniques. When the kid exceeds the limits of their toleration they are going to get blasted, more for the benefit of the parent releasing pent up aggression than to correct the kid.

In all my studies of corporal punishment I surmised it is the job of the parent to maintain self-control. Hence, 'wait until your father gets home'. Waiting to punish after the parent's anger is abated is the key. How about 'no birthday party if you do not correct your wrong'.

Man is physilogically, endocrinologically, and neurologically designed (evolved) to live in nature. In nature there are constant threats to survival (bullies). In civilization there is ever increasing protection from threats.

One pervasive thing with man is called the acetyl choline stearase reaction occuring millions of times in the nueral synapse where nerve impulses reach the muscle cell. In modern society man is first dealing with a sedantary lifestyle, secondly he, she, it is dealing with exposure to a lot of chemicals. Some of these chemicals can prevent the choline stearase from jumping into the synapse to dissolve the acetyl choline and release the muscle cell contraction causing what is informally called a 'hung up' condition which in their extremes can lead to convulsions and unconsciousness.

The 'fight or flight' situation solves the problem. Some or many know this and fight to accomplish it. What is happening, as far as I can understand, is adrenalin is secreted which forces the choline stearase to enter the synapse and release the muscle cells contraction.

Many people are subconsciously seeking a way to bring the acetyl choline stearase reaction to completion via being a brat, nagging, or raging.