A recent poll reveals that the majority of professionals working with children believe smacking should be outlawed in England, following the lead of Wales and Scotland. The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill is currently under consideration in Parliament, and a leading charity has urged for a ban to be incorporated into the new law.
Have your say! Should smacking remain as a “reasonable punishment” to misbehaving children? Comment below, and join in on the conversation.
The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) conducted research which included a YouGov survey of 729 UK adults who work with children. According to the Mirror, 90% of social workers, 77% of healthcare professionals, 75% of teachers and 51% of police officers believe that English law should be amended to prohibit physical punishment against children.
Social workers were particularly opposed to smacking, with 99% stating that a parent using physical punishment negatively affects the parent-child relationship, and 90% asserting it adversely impacts a child’s behaviour.
Both social workers (68%) and teachers (52%) agreed that the current legal stance complicates their efforts to safeguard children.
Both Scotland and Wales have recently enacted laws to shield children from physical punishment, but the situation in England is different. Here, adults may invoke a “reasonable punishment” defense, leaving children without the same protections as their adult counterparts.
NSPCC Chief Executive Chris Sherwood remarked: “Children should not be experiencing physical punishment in any form. Yet, as long as the law tolerates some level of physical force against children, their wellbeing will always be a matter of judgement about what is ‘reasonable.'” He also noted, “There has never been a better time for this antiquated defence to be removed than through a Bill that is all about children’s wellbeing.”
A Department for Education spokesperson highlighted the government’s commitment to child welfare: “The landmark Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill represents the single biggest piece of child protection legislation in a generation. This government has prioritised significant reform of the children’s social care system, driving better child protection and information sharing between education, health, and social workers to stop vulnerable children falling through the cracks.”
He continued, “While we are looking closely at the legal changes made in Wales and Scotland in relation to smacking, we have no plans to legislate at this stage. Through our Plan for Change, this government will give children growing up in our country the best start in life.”
Have your say! Should smacking remain as a “reasonable punishment” to misbehaving children? Comment below, and join in on the conversation.
