In most states, state statutes explicitly allow for reasonable physical discipline of a child–often called corporal punishment or corporal discipline. In the states without such statutes, case law from courts allow for it.¹

Whether by statute or case law, every state allows parents to discipline a child with reasonable and developmentally-appropriate force in order to correct misbehavior and/or to promote the general welfare of the child.  The term “reasonable” is difficult to define, so even though states allow parents to use physical force when disciplining a child, reasonableness is determined on a case-by-case basis by judges and juries.