Smacking has once again, over the past few weeks, become a topic of discussion both in the media and in Parliament. Some Parliamentary colleagues and children's organisations are arguing that children 'enjoy less protection than prisoners' because parents are allowed to smack them, and that any form of physical punishment is tantamount to an act of violence.
Not only is this not true, it fails to acknowledge the real problems for families, including children, that a ban on smacking would involve. We do not encourage or condone smacking. It is banned in childcare settings and we do not believe it is the best means for parents to control their children's behaviour. But neither do we support a ban which would make smacking a crime.
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