When I was a child I was given a smack if I did something wrong. That usually meant I wouldn’t do it again. Or I’d wise up and make sure I didn’t get caught next time around. Smacking is not cruel, abusive or a sign of lazy parenting, yet this week, Dr. Sally Holland, the Children’s Commissioner for Wales reiterated her call for a smacking ban.
She says that reprimanding naughty children in this way doesn’t have a place in civilised society and is a human rights issue. What bunkum! Sure, if you punch your child’s lights out that is abuse but why should society have to legislate for a tiny majority who do abuse their charges? There are always going to be horrible parents.
And sometimes, a smack is exactly what is needed to keep a child safe. For example, if they try to play with fire or run towards the traffic after a loud and firm “no” hasn’t worked. When all other forms of chastisement have failed, such as withdrawing treats, a smack to the arm or leg tells a child in no uncertain terms that their bad behaviour won’t be tolerated.
I have seen far too many parents pleading with their kids to be good: “please, please Timmy, don’t do that again” instead of disciplining them. The danger of such a weak approach is that it can harm their development and risks turning children into arrogant teenagers and adults with no respect for anyone. So, let’s give our support to parents who smack their children and stop this nonsense about bringing in a ban.
