SJC Sets Legal Guidelines For Spanking Children

The state's highest court has for the first time set legal guidelines for when and how parents can use spanking to discipline their children.

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court said Thursday that spanking or other forms of mild physical punishment of a minor child are permissible if the force used is ``reasonable,'' and is ultimately for the purpose of helping a child by preventing or punishing misconduct.

But the court said force can never be used if it causes or risks causing any serious physical or psychological harm.

The justices issued the first-ever guidelines while reversing the assault and battery conviction of a Brockton man who was seen by police spanking his almost 3-year-old daughter near a bus station.  (Associated Press)