24th June 2003
MPs SAY SMACKING SHOULD BE BANNED
The great smacking debate has launched into action again, as MPs call on it to be banned.
According to reports published today by the health select committee and the joint committee on human rights, which is made up of MPs and peers, parents should be banned from smacking their children. They claim that allowing parents to smack is incompatible with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and that the defence of "reasonable chastisement" is used too often to excuse violent behaviour.
Despite debating the issue, the government has so far decided not to change the law, claiming the most people "support the status quo."
However, according to the report, "A majority would probably agree that the progressive narrowing of the limits on lawful corporal punishment of children has been a positive feature of social development in the UK. Physical assault on children should continue to be seen as being, in almost all circumstances, a disproportionate, and futile, violation of children's rights."
The NSPCC surveyed 100 MPs and found considerable support for a smacking ban. In fact, 55 per cent of Labour MPs support a change in the law, with only one in seven strongly against it.
Liz Atkins, head of policy at the NSPCC, said, "The view that hitting children is a safe and proper way of disciplining them no longer holds sway. Today's inquiry reports on child protection and children's rights should convince any 'neutral' or 'undecided' MPs that it is time to scrap the antiquated defence of reasonable chastisement."
Where to next- Shares your views on smacking on the New parents discussion forum
- Take a look at our essential baby information
- To smack or not to smack? Read what our experts advise
- Read previous news regarding the smacking debate
- Check out our information for new parents
- Chat on the Your Shout discussion forum