UN Ban on Smacking

Don't miss a thing! subscribe for updates.

Today I read about how the UN wants to ban smacking. My first thought? If they are powerless to influence world leaders, I’m pretty sure they’ve got no chance of changing family choices behind closed doors. Nonetheless, countries who have chosen to outlaw it include Austria, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Germany, Italy, Israel, Iceland, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Hungary, Belgium and Greece. The NSW Committee who examined the current laws opted not to give children the same rights as adults, and smacking (providing it is a reasonable punishment) is still legal.

I’m not a fan of smacking, for any reason. I have never smacked Riley, and don’t intend to anytime soon. But I’m not sure I want the government legislating about appropriate forms of discipline either. The most concerning thing about this article? That the NSW Corrective Services Department recommends the law be amended to reflect that reasonable force should not include the use of a closed fist. On what planet is a closed fist reasonable? And the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission is not buying the whole common sense/in line with community expectations line. They have concerns about flouting the Convention on the Rights of the Child. I have concerns about the logic of community expectations too – I seem to remember it being used to cover all manner of sins in the past.

I do think that it brings up a vast grey area, that perhaps the legal system is ill equipped to deal with. What about a smack on the hand as a deterrent, or for issues of safety? Is a smack on the bottom the same as a slap across the face?

What do you think? Would you be comfortable with the government legislating against smacking?

Say It With Facebook

Tagged as: discipline, parenting, smacking, toddler

http://www.science-at-home.org Deb

Yes, absolutely. But …

There’s always a but. The reason I’m fine with legislating against it is it doesn’t work. Forget ethics, rights, etc, to say people should be allowed to smack is like saying they should be allowed to paint their children blue when they misbehave – why on earth would you?

In fact, it’s worse than it doesn’t work, the research shows that it is counter-productive – parents who smack have more behaviour problems, children are more likely to bully, lie, etc because that’s what they’ve been taught to do.

And let’s not get into the uncomfortable area of what it means for society that some members are viewed as not fully human, because that’s exactly what legal smacking means.

There is the still the but though. But people don’t know what else to do. Legislating against something is an easy way out for governments, they can pretend to be doing something when they aren’t. All it does is shift the focus from “What can we do to raise our children to be cheerful, helpful, productive etc human beings?” And turn it into “I was smacked and there’s nothing wrong with me.” “It’s my right to smack.” You get the point.

So in the final analysis, I would be very disappointed if a government banned smacking, if they weren’t also funding research into parenting (seen how little of that there is around?), psychological development, meaningful community discussion of what is acceptable, running parenting courses that are actually based on something, and generally doiong something about it, rather than blaming the parents who don’t have the knowledge, skills, or support to do anything else.
.-= Deb´s last blog ..Paper Mache Easter Baskets =-.
http://codenamemama.com Dionna @ Code Name: Mama

I love what Deb says about the failure that a smacking ban would bring without funding an initiative into better parenting. Personally, I’d be quite ok with no child ever getting smacked around again. Ever.
Perhaps passing a law would be a wake up call for all of the parents and “experts” who tout spanking as an acceptable form of discipline. But like Deb said, the negatives of physical punishment are enormous – there is just no reason to use spanking as a means of control.
So….I guess I’m on the fence. Perhaps a ban would help, but it won’t do much without the complementary initiatives into teaching parents better alternatives.
.-= Dionna @ Code Name: Mama´s last blog ..Gardening with Little Helpers =-.
http://www.writingloud.blogspot.com Megan at Writing Out Loud

And who will police this legislation? I don’t smack my daughter, and don’t intend to as she grows up, but I don’t think this is a matter for the government to deal with. Well, not in that way anyway – I agree with Deb, it’s more about education for parents. I’ve never received any ‘official’ advice (from health nurse, literature, etc.) on disciplining methods – maybe that needs to be thought through.
.-= Megan at Writing Out Loud´s last blog ..Book Review Update =-.
Elizabeth

I’m quite disappointed at how physically disciplining children has only been painted in a violent and abusive light.

My husband and I are Christians in our late twenties and are due to have our first baby boy in 8 weeks. We intend on physically disciplining all our children… but in a constructing way which is non aggressive or violent.

My father smacked my butt when I was a kid, when I need it and it taught me reverential fear and respect for elders. I love my Dad to this day and would never speak to him in a rude or disrespectful way, because he taught me right.

Those who think all physical discipline is wrong will likely end up with disobedient and mouthy children who are not lovely to be in the presence of. I am horrified when I hear children reasoning with their parents. When I was a kid, Mum or Dad said it and that settled it.

Today’s parents seem to be allowing their children to dictate how things will be done. It’s nuts.

Back to the bible… there is wisdom to be found there.

“He who spares his rod (of discipline) hates his son, but he who loves him diligently disciplines and punishes him early.” – Proverbs 13:24

“Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.” – Proverbs 22:15

Shayne

I am so glad you have written this Elizabeth. We entirely agree. Just look at past generations for a prime example where discipline was tough and children behaved so much more respectfully than the disrespectful, undisciplined children you see mouthing off at their parents today.
I get so frustrated when I see kid getting taken out by their parents and all they do is play up, chuck tantrums, and NOT get disciplined for it!