Several expressed concern about the potential for sadistic abuse when society gives people power to inflict pain on others. Others cited studies suggesting that paddling could inflict injuries ranging from blood blisters to loss of bladder control. Critics also pointed to research showing that corporal punishment can lead to embitterment, anger and post-traumatic stress while teaching impressionable youths the contradictory lesson that violence is the way to solve problems. The most heated attacks Wednesday came from Democrats on the Ways and Means Committee, who suggested that Conroy's bill was a misdirected, hypocritical attempt to solve a complex social problem. We're trying to teach our young people nonviolent approaches to violence.
Violence begets violence.
The constitutionality of Conroy's bill remains open to debate. The California Legislative Counsel, which provides legal opinions to state lawmakers, determined that Conroy's bill is unconstitutional. Conroy, however, resolutely defended his bill as the surest way to persuade teen-age taggers to stop their destructive practice. And the message is that there is a consequence for your actions. The Orange County assemblyman brought several experts on graffiti and gangs before the committee in an effort to provide testimony on the merits of paddling youthful offenders.