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Child smacking ban: MPs demand free vote
Tuesday, 7 October 2008
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A new attempt to ban smacking will be launched tomorrow by a cross-party group of MPs, as more than 100 Labour backbenchers demand a free vote on the issue.
MPs, led by Kevin Barron, the Labour chairman of the all-party Commons Health Committee, are attempting to stop parents from smacking their children as a "reasonable punishment". They will table amendments to the Children and Young Persons Bill, due to be debated by the Commons tomorrow, to give children the same protection against assault as adults.
Campaigners said that 111 Labour MPs had signed a private letter demanding a free vote on smacking, with some backbenchers warning they are prepared to defy Government whips if ministers do not back down.
The last attempt to impose a full ban on smacking was defeated in 2004 when a compromise was agreed, tightening the law by outlawing punishment which left physical marks or caused mental harm. But campaigners say they want action to give children protection against all physical punishment.
Mr Barron said: "We must act now to end the legal approval of hitting children. It is the responsibility of Parliament to ensure that the physical integrity and human dignity of every person is respected. The current law allowing so-called 'reasonable punishment' of children is unjust, unsafe and unclear, and must be abolished once and for all."
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All of this and in a time where feral youth and the problems they present (crime,violence and intimidation) are at an all time high.
Without effective discipline how many more children will grow up with such a flagrant lack of respect for other people, personal property and indeed the sanctity of human life.
Posted by Wendy | 10.10.08, 15:23 GMT
Of course, nobody wants to see children abused, but their is nothing democratic about the way this bill will be put through. Even if the majority of people do not support it , it will be passed! We here In New Zealand have had it imposed on us by a minorty Green party holding a Labour Goverment to ransom!
We must all fight to bring back demoracy in our countries and to protect our National way of life from the dictatorship policys of Globilism.
Posted by Morry | 10.10.08, 13:11 GMT
Whatever next , smacking children is a way of life, Children have to be taught right from wrong and smacking is the way to do it , also bring back the cane in schools discipline the only thing for these wretches, what is this country coming to i wonder ,thank goodness i will be out of it soon .disgusted with it all .
Posted by Fed up with it all | 09.10.08, 15:56 GMT
With the divorces, lack of Church-goers, especially amongst children, and now banning smacking when required leads to confusion in the kids minds. When humans do something wrong, they expect punishment of some description, and when it doesn't happen at the right time, they believe they can do it again, and get away with it. This leads to more violence and killings, etc. People need discipline, manners, a viable role-model, and most of all-PRAYERS. Give them none of the above, and watch how quickly your society deteriorates.
Posted by canuck | 09.10.08, 15:52 GMT
Take heed, and watch the massive increase in ADHD cases, and kids on medication- there will be a drastic increase, and a further cost to the tax-payer for medical care. Sometimes a simple slap at the right moment is all it takes to cure many ills.
Posted by canuck | 09.10.08, 15:47 GMT
I would have got smacked as a child if it was appropriate. If my actions would have caused danger to myself or others. These occassions are not engrained in my memory
I do remember the hurt which remained with me well into adult life, by angry or unthought out words directed at me.
My greatest concern for children is them being verbally abused by adults.Torn to pieces by unkind and hurtful words.our children need to be taught and built up constructivlly. Parents do say harsh things at times,(we are not perfect) but we should also apoligise, when we have behaved badly towards a child. If there is no sorrow on the adults part a child can be left scarred for life. Why not ban language that is un befitting to be used on children. I cringe when I hear how some parents show no basic respect for their children. Using derogoitary and foul mouthed language to make them feel small and undermining their human dignity.Lets guide & teach our children with respect. They may just respond.
Posted by Polly | 09.10.08, 13:30 GMT
if children listened in the first place . there would be no need of a smack . children should be taught their responsibilities . not continualy brainwashed about their rights
Posted by russell | 08.10.08, 18:00 GMT
Consider this... Child abuse is already illegal in this country. Whatever your personal preference with regards to discpline, this new law (if passed) will only make those who use reasonable smacking of their children... criminals! Furthermore, those who persist in using reasonable smacking will have their children taken from them! Is that the kind of nation we want to live in. Whatever your personal preference, don't legislate your preference on the rest of us, so that you have moms and dads arrested for doing nothing else then reasonably smacking a child who engages in gross, disrespectful or dangerous behaviour. Where is the common sense? God help us all!
Where is the sense?
Posted by Sean | 08.10.08, 11:48 GMT
And so the breakdown of order in society worsens...
Posted by David | 07.10.08, 19:01 GMT
i think reasonable punishment is acceptable, children that have no diciplin will have no respect for their parents when they grow up. i got smacked when i was a child. now i have a lot of respect for my parents. i will do the same to my children. just a small smack on the backside. nothin to bad. never in public.
Posted by tony | 07.10.08, 15:29 GMT
I was clipped or smacked, even with a wooden spoon when I was child if i done anything wrong and i was only born in 1983. I dont think I was treated unfairly by my parents and I certainly dont hate them for it, nor did I ever feel the need to pass on the pain I received from my parents to anyone else be it fighting in school or knife crime etc. I think there is absolutely nothing wrong with smacking a child if they have been out of line. However, the likes of doing it in public would be a major no no.
Posted by BATE | 07.10.08, 14:34 GMT
I use to think there was no harm in smacking a child. But actually in this ever changing world of violence, knife/gun crime, beatings - I dont think this anymore. A good telling off, being punished by being grounded or fav toys or the TV being taken away - these are the ways discipline should be handed down. "wait til your father gets home" was always a good one - and I know with family situations changing and a lot of single parents about , that isnt always usable. But a stingy smack on the legs or bum isnt really the best approach is it!
Posted by Fliss | 07.10.08, 12:17 GMT