SMACKING
This is a summary which we will expand shortly.
We were disappointed to see the House of Lords pass an ammendment to the Children Bill on July 5th 2004, which pulled back from an outright ban on smacking to one of permitting 'reasonable chastisement', providing it doesn't cause harm such as bruising, scratches or reddening of the skin.
In what seems to be an extraordinary contradiction in terms, Liberal Democrat peer, Lord Lester of Herne Hill who tabled the ammendment said "When a parent smacks a child, they are to some extent losing control. Under my ammendment, parents will still be able to smack their children if they don't harm them physically or mentally."
This means that children remain the only group in the UK who are not protected against violence. The aim is allow prosecution against those who commit actual bodily harm to children. It is worth remembering that "reasonable chastisement", previously used as a defense in these cases dates back to 1860. This was the time of the Industrial Revolution, when children were allowed to work in appalling conditions in sweatshops, mines, factories and even made to climb inside chimneys to work as chimney sweeps. They were regularly beaten severely, prompting the term 'reasonable chastisement' in law to try and prevent serious physical harm. There was no concept of mental harm at that time, and wouldn't be for some 70 years. Women had no rights, and it was to be more than 50 years before they were to get the vote.
There are complex political reasons for holding back from an outright ban, but the net result is children continue to be emotionally damaged by smacking and we are left sadly lacking behind Europe where smacking bans have not produced any increase in dysfunctional behaviour, in fact research shows the opposite has been the case.
However, a ban on smacking should not be put in place without tangible alternatives for parents. We believe most smacks are given spontaneously in the heat of the moment - something legislation is unlikely to prevent. There needs to be a far better understanding of child behaviour amongst parents and those who are in contact with them.
In the meantime...
Stop for a moment, and think what it must feel like to receive a smack from someone much bigger and stronger than you.
Now imagine the smack came from the most important person in your life. The one you trust, rely upon and love.
And how would you feel if you had no idea why you had been smacked?
We believe...
Parents need support, not legislation.
There is little point in banning smacking if parents are not helped to find alternatives.
There are many ways to discipline a child without hitting.
Few parents who smack enjoy doing it, and most do so out of frustration.
A child who is smacked soon learns it is an effective way to get what you want.
And finally...
What happens when that 'little tap' doesn't work? Do you make it a harder tap?
Join the smacking debate on our discussion group
