You wouldn’t get 10 years for a simple spanking. Just like you wouldn’t get 10 years for slapping a police officer.

The countries with those laws on the books have them as a deterrent, primarily. They are intended for when kids are left with broken bones, scars and missing teeth from their punishment.

Generally the tool of choice is education. Spanking breaks the trust between the parent and the vulnerable child. That trust is the key to getting positive change. The use of other methods gets better results. This makes life easier for the mother, and happier for everyone involved.

Question for you. If the line shouldn’t be drawn at “any physical violence” where should it be drawn? Is caning ok? Extinguishing cigarettes on them? Punching? Hitting with a baseball bat? How would you clarify acceptable Vs unacceptable?