Ban smacking, children's tsar urges

[g3org3y]

article said:

Parents should be banned from smacking children, the Children's Commissioner for England, Maggie Atkinson, has said.

She told the Independent the law gave pets and adults more rights to protection from violence than children.

There was a legal "loophole around the fact that you can physically chastise your child", she added.

She called for a total ban under which parents could face criminal action. But she said that actively campaigning for a ban would not be a priority.

article said:

She said it was "a moral issue" and "taken to its extreme, physical chastisement is actually physical abuse".

She had never understood "where you can draw the line between one and the other" and it was "better that it were not permitted", she added.

But she said her office would not be campaigning for a ban next year "because there's a lot of other things in the queue"

Article: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-25529744

I suspect the PH opinion will be divided with plenty on the 'I was smacked as a child and it never did me any harm' side.

If a child is too young to have developed abstract thinking and comprehend the consequences of their actions perhaps a smack is justified?

There seems to be a perception that if one is resorting to smacking, there has been a loss of control, I'm not so sure.

[V88Dicky]

I was smacked as a child, and it never done me any harm.

Why do the Government feel the need to interfere with everyday life?

[GTIR]

I smack my twins (mostly the boy!) but it's never that hard and only once on skin (he pissed all over the floor and unrolled a whole toilet roll onto it) and it's just for shock value. I often exaggerate my anger as well so on the rare occasions I do snack them (like when they drew over the table and hitting each other) they know it's a big issue. My other daughter even asked how come I calm down instantly after and I explained it's just an act! She just laughed and said "Oh!"

Parents who beat their kids, particularly on the head and face, should be locked up.

My dad only ever hit me once after I nicked some money off of him. I guess it was more the feeling I'd let him down more than anything. fking frightened the life out if me! He was more upset afterwards though.

[Randy Winkman]

There are already lots of countries where hitting children is not allowed. People aren't running about punching each other or getting run over all the time there. In fact, they generally have lower crime and accident rates than the UK. Perhaps because people better learn the reasons for good behavior.

[anonymous-user]

Randy Winkman said:

There are already lots of countries where hitting children is not allowed. People aren't running about punching each other or getting run over all the time there. In fact, they generally have lower crime and accident rates than the UK. Perhaps because people better learn the reasons for good behavior.

So, no smacking equates to lower crime? Really?

As usual, this is govenrment meddling with trivialities whilst important matters get left alone or fudged.

[Jasandjules]

Oh good. Because children are in the main sooo well behaved...

[Spanna]

I don't think people having been smacked as kids is that relevant to this (non)issue. Who smacks their kids now, would be the relevant question. Personally, I haven't smacked my child of 4 at all, in my experience there are other more effective ways of letting a child know they're wrong or for punishment, both physical and vocal without resorting to actually hitting the kid.

I'm not against smacking at all, I don't think it is harmful as a once in a while quick sharp punishment for certain children. I would be against it if it were to be a daily occurence, the parent should recognise at that point the punishment isn't good enough and seek other ways to deal with them.

[zygalski]

It's a fantastic way of releasing angst after working a 12 hour day too, let's not forget.

[grumbledoak]

Randy Winkman said:

There are already lots of countries where hitting children is not allowed. People aren't running about punching each other or getting run over all the time there. In fact, they generally have lower crime and accident rates than the UK. Perhaps because people better learn the reasons for good behavior.

That's an impressive causal relationship you've proved there. I want to live in a country run by people like you.

Anyone beating their kids should be punished. Smacking their bum when young should be acceptable as a last resort - kids do and should learn to push until the world pushes back. It shouldn't be done in anger though, that's a parenting fail.

[Eric Mc]

Let's face it - what would you expect the "Children's Tsar" (surely it should be Tsarina?) to say.

I mean, what would people say if a Government appointee tasked with looking after the welfare of children made an announcement that it was OK to smack your kids?

As ever, this is a non-story.

[Randy Winkman]

REALIST123 said:

Randy Winkman said:

There are already lots of countries where hitting children is not allowed. People aren't running about punching each other or getting run over all the time there. In fact, they generally have lower crime and accident rates than the UK. Perhaps because people better learn the reasons for good behavior.

So, no smacking equates to lower crime? Really?

As usual, this is govenrment meddling with trivialities whilst important matters get left alone or fudged.

Whether adults should hit children is a "triviality"?

[Randy Winkman]

grumbledoak said:

Randy Winkman said:

There are already lots of countries where hitting children is not allowed. People aren't running about punching each other or getting run over all the time there. In fact, they generally have lower crime and accident rates than the UK. Perhaps because people better learn the reasons for good behavior.

That's an impressive causal relationship you've proved there. I want to live in a country run by people like you.

Anyone beating their kids should be punished. Smacking their bum when young should be acceptable as a last resort - kids do and should learn to push until the world pushes back. It shouldn't be done in anger though, that's a parenting fail.

Have you got proof that smacking children is helpful? Do children in, for instance Sweden, have no way of learning?

[GTIR]

Spanna said:

I don't think people having been smacked as kids is that relevant to this (non)issue. Who smacks their kids now, would be the relevant question. Personally, I haven't smacked my child of 4 at all, in my experience there are other more effective ways of letting a child know they're wrong or for punishment, both physical and vocal without resorting to actually hitting the kid.

I'm not against smacking at all, I don't think it is harmful as a once in a while quick sharp punishment for certain children. I would be against it if it were to be a daily occurence, the parent should recognise at that point the punishment isn't good enough and seek other ways to deal with them.

I think you're right, however, in some environments it's needed.

I'm not with my kids mum and believe me I can't stay too long in their house after I've dropped them off because they're all so unruly it's untrue. Throwing themselves on the floor crying, throwing rubbish and food on the floor, pulling crisps out of the cupboard when explicitly told by their mother not too, not eating their food and throwing it around and crying etc etc.
The trouble is she's never given them any discipline because it's "easier to let them do whatever"!

So when they come to mine they've got to adjust but sometimes they slip!

She hits her other boy (in the face. Not my kid) and he's a nightmare!

She's also got one about to pop.

5 kids!

[Pesty]

Randy Winkman said:

There are already lots of countries where hitting children is not allowed. People aren't running about punching each other or getting run over all the time there. In fact, they generally have lower crime and accident rates than the UK. Perhaps because people better learn the reasons for good behavior.

Correlation does not imply causation. Are you seriously suggesting that the no smacking means low crime rate? I'd wager there were far more factors.


Ps I've never needed to smack my children they new right from the start where the line was but... I would have done if needed I think they knew that.

Just like some other laws not sure this would do anything the sort of people who beat their children regularly would continue to do so.

[Kawasicki]

My friend doesn't smack his kids...to make an impression he smashes their favorite toys to pieces with a hammer. Much better!

[ClassicMotorNut]

I for one am grateful for having been smacked as a child. It did me the world of good and I learnt right from wrong much sooner and more effectively than I would have done had I been given some wet telling-off and being sent to sit on a 'naughty step'.

I shall be more than happy to pass on the gift of smackings to my own children if it helps them develop into fine specimens like myself.

[Hoofy]

I was listening to parents phoning in on LBC saying how they never hit their kids, who were always well-behaved and went on to be successful adults. I just wonder if they were complete sts but the parents thought they were angels and as adults are complete s to everyone else even if they are doctors and lawyers.

Kawasicki said:

My friend doesn't smack his kids...to make an impression he smashes their favorite toys to pieces with a hammer. Much better!

I can't help thinking this is worse even if it's Amnesty International approved.

[mph1977]

there are a number of issues here, all some what intertwined

the law does treat adults differently from children

in the case of children physical ' reasonable chastisement ' is being used as a statutory defence against Battery or worse - until the point it reaches de facto 'physical abuse' ... wheras any assualt or battery towards a spouse especially male to female will result in (if it's admitted) conviction / admission of guilt caution as a 'wife beater'

physical chastisement which marks the recipient is ABH

PHer spin - you are not allowed to use physical reasonable chastisement on your wife, your servants or pets why should you be allowed to on your children ? the problem is that some pHers would advocate the return of the 'rule of thumb' as is seen

There are thousands of boys and young men who believe that the way to show your displeasure is by hitting someone - because their powerfully built (tm) father uses physical chastisement excessively - this spills over into schools and the streets where the 'punishment' for percieved 'disrespect' by a peer is to hit them or worse...

Edited by mph1977 on Saturday 28th December 11:08

[Esseesse]

Well Mr Farage thinks it's ok...

http://youtu.be/4yhQcjvK7zY

[Spanna]

GTIR said:

Spanna said:

I don't think people having been smacked as kids is that relevant to this (non)issue. Who smacks their kids now, would be the relevant question. Personally, I haven't smacked my child of 4 at all, in my experience there are other more effective ways of letting a child know they're wrong or for punishment, both physical and vocal without resorting to actually hitting the kid.

I'm not against smacking at all, I don't think it is harmful as a once in a while quick sharp punishment for certain children. I would be against it if it were to be a daily occurence, the parent should recognise at that point the punishment isn't good enough and seek other ways to deal with them.

I think you're right, however, in some environments it's needed.

I'm not with my kids mum and believe me I can't stay too long in their house after I've dropped them off because they're all so unruly it's untrue. Throwing themselves on the floor crying, throwing rubbish and food on the floor, pulling crisps out of the cupboard when explicitly told by their mother not too, not eating their food and throwing it around and crying etc etc.
The trouble is she's never given them any discipline because it's "easier to let them do whatever"!

So when they come to mine they've got to adjust but sometimes they slip!

She hits her other boy (in the face. Not my kid) and he's a nightmare!

She's also got one about to pop.

5 kids!

I'm also a single dad and my ex is the same with my lad. Can't be arsed to do things right and he almost always comes to me in a right mardy. He knows I won't be putting up with it and he comes to his senses pretty quickly. He is one that needs some firm but fair discipline but doing that gives both of us a great time with each other.

I think the lack of consistency causes an issue, lines need to be drawn and the discipline for the lines needs to be set for your own sanity as much as the child's. My ex goes all softly softly most of the time, then he can do the smallest thing like answer back or spill a drink and she explodes.

The one thing she doesn't do though, is smack.