No, corporal punishment against children is prohibited under Mexico’s 2014 General Law on the Rights of Girls, Boys, and Adolescents (LGDNNA), aligning with the 2026 amendments to the Federal Penal Code that criminalize physical discipline in all settings. The National System for the Integral Protection of Children (SIPINNA) enforces compliance, while state-level child protection agencies monitor adherence. Violations may trigger administrative sanctions or criminal charges under Article 20 Bis of the Federal Penal Code.
Key Regulations for Spanking Your Child in Mexico
- Prohibition of Physical Discipline: The LGDNNA explicitly bans any form of corporal punishment, including spanking, in Article 42, defining it as a violation of children’s right to dignity and physical integrity.
- Criminal Liability: The 2026 amendments to the Federal Penal Code introduce Article 20 Bis, which classifies corporal punishment as a misdemeanor punishable by fines or community service, with aggravated penalties for repeat offenses.
- State-Level Enforcement: SIPINNA collaborates with state prosecutors to investigate reports of corporal punishment, while local child welfare agencies (e.g., DIF systems) may intervene to remove children from unsafe environments under the 2023 National Protocol for Child Protection.