Corporal Punishment Book Sparks Outrage

BAKERSFIELD -- The mayor's office has been flooded with e-mails from anti-spanking advocates nationwide who are angry over a business run by a local company that offers books promoting corporal punishment.

Child Training Resources is an Internet business run out of the home of Stephen and Melanie Haymond. Besides offering books on the topic, the site also sells a plastic spanking tool called a "chastening instrument" guaranteed not to break.

An e-mail campaign against the business is being waged by Susan Lawrence, a Boston-based opponent of spanking. She has encouraged people to send protest letters to the mayor's office as well as banks and businesses associated with Child Training Resources.

"All of the books recommend hitting babies younger than one year," Lawrence said. "I thought, 'This is so horrible and outrageous.' I thought, "Anyone would consider that child abuse."'

Stephen Haymond rejected allegations that the company condoned child abuse.

"Child Training Resources stands resolutely against all forms of child abuse," he said Sunday.

Child Training Resources is not a stranger to controversy. The Haymonds drew criticism in 1996 when they sent materials for a spanking device to local churches, as well as to the Kern Child Abuse Prevention Council/Haven Counseling Center.