Parenting is a difficult job, and as much as I am not in favour of smacking, I think it inappropriate for me as a loving yet imperfect parent to impose restrictions on other parents. How they choose to discipline their children should not be up to me or our politicians.
I believe that smacking does little good in the long-term and can potentially do a disservice to the child. Yet, I was smacked by my parents and have nothing but respect for the way they reared me. They clearly disciplined me out of love and an unwavering determination to enforce healthy routines and boundaries, not out of frustration.
I realise that smacking can escalate into worse cases of abuse, and I naturally abhor the abuse of children. I must say, that I also dislike the spoiling of children and the indifference of some parents in setting boundaries and enforcing consequences for their childs’ unruly behaviour.
Advocate good parenting skills and practices by all means, but don’t stop parents from doing what they feel is right for their own children.
Tags: Child Welfare, David Lammy, life, News, Opinion, Parenting, Parents, Politics, Smacking, The Welfare State
Topical Teaching 
January 29, 2012 at 10:58 pm |
Reblogged this on That Indian Dude.
January 29, 2012 at 11:20 pm |
This is an interesting question, but somehow I have opposing view. Smacking does not do good long term because when the child grew up, he won’t follow the parent anymore since snacking won’t hurt already. Smacking is good for teaching discipline short term as long as you had a talk why the kid deserves to be punished.
January 29, 2012 at 11:36 pm |
I am also ambivalent towards the practice smacking. When children are very small, before they are capable of reasoning, a light tap may be all that is needed to let the child know he or she has crossed a line. If children don’t know right from wrong, by the time they are 12, I doubt if smacking is of any use. I have friends who were physically abused by their parents and some that were raised in a permissive home. The Bible talks about using the rod of correction but that is in the context of saving the child’s life, presumably from self destructive behaviour. On balance I think it is essential that children grow up within boundaries, knowing what right behaviours are called for in a variety of settings and knowing which behaviours are wrong. A wise parent will know how to train children and teach them about absolutes. I also think there is a rule of thumb that says something about “horses for courses”. Having said all that I believe the government should mind it’s own business and support parents to the hilt, except, of course, in cases of abuse.
January 31, 2012 at 12:51 am |
Thanks again John, I really appreciate your comments.
January 30, 2012 at 12:26 am |
Reblogged this on WendyzWorld.
February 3, 2012 at 6:05 pm |
Totally against the law here in New Zealand. http://howto.yellow.co.nz/legal/consumer-law/how-to-understand-the-new-zealand-anti-smacking-law/