Opinion: Editor's view

The usual euphemisms were trotted out last week as the Government tried to justify its decision to rule out a total ban on smacking. 'Light smack', 'odd slap' and 'little cuff' were just some of the terms used to describe the kind of behaviour deemed 'acceptable' by adults towards children. Of course, smacking is completely unacceptable, and refusing to ban it deprives children of the same legal protection as adults; encourages parents to resort to quick-fix 'solutions' rather than giving their children time, understanding and explanations, and means children...