Posted on 11/27/2006 9:19:09 PM PST by bruinbirdman
The Children's Commissioner for England is preparing a dossier for the United Nations to back his case that parents who smack their children are abusing their human rights.
Prof Sir Al Aynsley-Green says parents must be banned outright from smacking. His report, that existing laws fail to protect children from harm, will be submitted to UN officials next autumn. He is supported by the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish "child tsars".
Sir Al said: "Children and young people in England should have the same right to protection under the law on common assault as that afforded to adults."
The dossier comes after a poll found most parents believed smacking was an acceptable way to discipline children.
The number of those in favour was higher among adults without children, 80 per cent of whom said they would support smacking as a punishment if necessary.
Among parents, the proportion who said they smacked their children fell, but only to 67 per cent.
Parents aged 35 to 54 were most likely to have smacked their children, with nearly three quarters saying they had done so, said the research.
Many did not consider a light smack the same as "hitting" a child. Children's charities do not differentiate between smacking and hitting, saying they amount to the same thing to a child.
However, fewer than half of parents understood the law in England and Wales, which states that mild smacking is legal but any blow that leaves a mark on a child is illegal.
A "reasonable chastisement" defence is still available to parents but they can be charged with common assault if a smack causes bruises, grazes or scratches.
Tony Blair admitted in an interview this year that he had smacked both his elder sons but not his youngest, Leo, now six. "I think everybody knows the difference between smacking a kid and abusing a child," he said at the time.
While 20 countries have imposed an outright ban on smacking, the Government says it does not want to intrude so far into family life.
Most child experts oppose smacking but they hold differing views on the best way to instil discipline in children.
Dr Miriam Stoppard said parents who did smack should "never have had children in the first place". The key, she said, to good behaviour was knowing how to "achieve co-operation" and that involved a lot of talking.
Noël Janis-Norton, a learning and behavioural specialist and director of the New Learning Centre in Hampstead, north London, said children who understood rules were less likely to test their parents by misbehaving.
Anne Atkins, the author of Child Rearing for Fun - Trust Your Instincts and Enjoy Your Children said the anti-smacking lobby was wrong.
"Smacking doesn't harm the child. It's a very effective, simple, quick way of disciplining that's less painful than losing a treat," she said.
When the inmates take over the asylum......
"A blessing for the Tsar? God bless and keep the Tsar...far away from us."
This is a vision of America under Speaker Nancy Pelosi and President Hillary Clinton. Don't believe me? Do some research.
Wait till the animal rights people get hold of this. They will ban the rolled up newspaper swat to a dogs snout. You will have to take your bad dog to a licensed dog shrink to help you understand what you did wrong to cause your dog to misbehave.
The bigger they get, the harder you whack them. Dogs and kids both.
And if that don't work, you get rid of them. Dogs and kids both.
Thats my way of looking at it anyway.
PS: I've never had to get rid of any...so far.
I'd like to smack Pelosi and Clinton too. ;)
Have you ever known the point where smacking doesn't work, and the child retaliates fiercely?
It's quite a scene. Very unpleasant.
Nothing goads the old worse than being usurped by proud, defiant youth.
Don't be old.
Who needs to smack when you can dope your kid into oblivion with Ritalin?
...So much more "civilized," no?
/sarc
Children get the vote, ex-cons get the vote, non-citizens get the vote.
yitbos
Wait 'til NAMBLA gets hold of this. UN recognition of NAMBLA.
yitbos
This is a case of nit wit bureaucrats trying to justify their paychecks. Look busy lads!!!
Prov 13:24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
KJV
I'm trying! I'm trying!! But those darn birthdays just keep coming!!
"Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him." -Proverbs 22:15
"Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell. " -Proverbs 23:13,14
These are extremely strong statements from the Design-Engineer of the children.
Spare the rod, spoil the child
"I wish that all fathers of households stand forth and practice their role. They will use the rod and not permit their children to go astray. Firmness is needed in your world that is filled with laxity, permissiveness, and degradation.
"Your children have been misled by many who shall answer to the Father. As teachers they have failed in their role. Therefore, as parents you must succeed in yours." - St. Joseph, March 18, 1973
As the Bible tells us: "He who spareth the rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him correcteth him betimes" (Proverbs 13:24) and "Withhold not correction from a child: for if thou strike him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and deliver his soul from hell." (Proverbs 23:13-14)
Oh YES! Children have been so much better behaved and child-relate crime has gone down so much since Dr. Spock came into vogue.
Oh YES! Children have been so much better behaved and child-relate crime has gone down so much since Dr. Spock came into vogue.
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