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. When parents become frustrated because of life's struggles and difficulties their perception of 'use of force' may become altered and consequently can result in abusive hitting. Most parents do in fact use 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.