The Pros And Cons Of Smacking Children

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Smacking has been defined as “A strike to someone, typically with the palm of the hand as a punishment” (Oxford Dictionary 2013.p.88) to cause pain or discomfort for the purpose of correction or control. Smacking is a controversial issue that has been widely debated amongst many people. Is smacking children right or wrong? In 2012, according to a nationally representative survey “77 percent of men, and 65 percent of women 18 to 65 years old agreed that a child sometimes needs a “good hard spanking.” Some people agree with smacking children as they believe it authorises discipline, on the other hand, other people are against smacking children as they believe it is an ineffective and immoral way of discipline that only teaches violence. By law…show more content…
In the past physical punishment was generally accepted and was considered to be an appropriate method of eliciting behavioural compliance. Smacking dates back to the bible where “the rod and reproof give wisdom but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame”. (Proverbs 29:15). In the medieval times parents looked towards religion for guidance, to ensure their children had a place in heaven, after confession a priest would smack a child to help remove their sins. (Flemings.S 2009). Schools in the Victorian era were allowed to discipline children through physical punishments usually with a ruler to the hand or a cane to the back of the legs. However this perspective began to change as people became worried about the effect of physical punishment in association with child development and aggression. This brought about “The 1924 Declarations of the Rights of the Child”, this declaration only outlined the duties and responsibilities owed to children by adults. In 1989 the “United Nations Convention on Children’s Rights” (UNCRC 1989) act arose, which is “an international human rights treaty that grants all children and young people (aged 17 and under) a comprehensive set of rights.” which is separated into 54 articles. The UK signed it in 1990, and it came into UK law in 1992. An important way that the UNCRC has impacted on children’s lives is that it has changed from…show more content…
I conclude that In my opinion smacking children is wrong and smacking should be made illegal. I believe this because it is unethical and i feel in this modern era we should be able to find alternative ways of discipline such as putting a child into time out to reflect on their behaviour after explaining why it is wrong. As the Article 5 (UCRCR) states the importance to ensure that parents should give “appropriate direction and guidance in the exercise by the child of the rights recognised in the present Convention”. Banning smacking will enforce rules within homes and society so that everyone is clear that the law is against smacking children and less children will be subject to child abuse. Children are becoming harder to control with an increase in behavioural disorders, however we should use non violent discipline rather than portray violence to them. If children are shown violence is acceptable, children may do the same, which may turn, the society we live in to be filled with violence.The heated argument to use physical punishment has been going on for years and needs to be put to an

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