Anti-smacking laws

[Robert]

Our wonderful Socialist government here in New Zealand just passed a law against parents smacking their children. What is the law regarding this in America? I really don't understand American politics, but I wouldn't mind getting some insight into it.

[Patrick]

I got a bunch of "smacking's" growing up. They were all on my backside, never on any other body part. My mom would get so mad at me, she would take off her high heeled shoe and beat me with it and it did not matter where we were at. And, in school, I spent a lot of time going back and forth to the Principles Office for discipline.
As far as our laws in America, there is a fine line between discipline and beating/abuse.