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Texas law allows the use of force, but not deadly force, against a child by the child's parent, guardian, or other person who is acting in loco parentis. Most parents do, in fact, use corporal punishment (in the form of spanking) at least occasionally, and most do not, in fact, consider it abusive. Experts disagree about the advisability of ever spanking a child. Some say that, combined with other methods of discipline, mild spanking of a small child is harmless and effective.

Others claim that other methods of discipline work as well as spanking or better, and that spanking is not necessary. Many child advocates and experts in child development contend that all forms of corporal punishment, including spanking, are harmful. Most believe that spanking an infant is always inappropriate. The law does not attempt to arbitrate between the different views on the best method of disciplining a child. What we do know is that severe corporal punishment can be extremely damaging and dangerous, and this is what the law prohibits as abuse.

Why Does It Matter?
Child abuse prevention is a fundamental first step in crime prevention and violence reduction. Most abused and neglected children grow up to be peaceful and productive citizens. Within the criminal justice system, however, mistreated children are significantly overrepresented. The National Institute of Justice found that child abuse victims are 40 percent more likely than non-abused children to become delinquents and adult criminals.

Abused and neglected children are 53 percent more likely to be arrested as juveniles, 38 percent more likely to be arrested as adults, and 38 percent more likely to be arrested for violent crimes. Physically abused children are more likely to be aggressive toward their peers and adults, and are more likely to have poor impulse control than non-abused children. The more frequent and