It seems hypocritical to teach children to behave and be peaceful through violence. So, it is no surprise that violence against children creates a cycle that stays with them into adulthood. It is our responsibility as adults to break this cycle.
If doctors are calling for a smacking ban then why are England and Northen Ireland trailing behind? Reports and statistics prove children who are smacked even at home have increased feelings of depression, anxiety, and an increase in aggression. It also increases a child’s likelihood to experience serious abuse. Why are politicians and parents not listening?
The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health's (RCPCH) report sets out why England and Northern Ireland should follow the example of Scotland and Wales in changing the law to make physical punishment of children illegal. In Wales, it has been illegal for over a year and Scotland over two. England and Northen Ireland’s response to these changes has been too slow. Ignoring the facts, reports and data that supports smacking children, even at home, is more than just discipline its detrimental.
The psychological effects of physical punishment can extend into adulthood. The RCPCH report state Children who experience physical punishment are 2.6 times more likely to experience mental health problems than children. Adults who had been physically punished as children had an increased risk of suicidal thoughts, heavy drinking, and drug use. It is found in multiple reports from charities and doctors that violence against children is cyclical. It harms their relationships in their families and their mental state as they grow up. How is this something we can continue to ignore and consider acceptable?
As a society we agree kids are vulnerable and need protecting. So, why is this ban, protecting children, being implemented? NSPCC put forward the idea that this is not a smacking ban. It is an equal protection from assault. If adults have the same rights and protection so should our younger more vulnerable children. In many of our laws we protect them and yet it is still ok to hit them – It does not make sense.
England and Northen Ireland need to listen to the clear evidence before them. Instead, they are falling behind as groundbreaking laws in Wales and Scotland are beginning to make changes. Importantly changes that protect the most vulnerable, children.
How can politicians continue to ignore something so evidently wrong. Politicians, notably members of the Conservative Party, and the public will continue to argue that hitting children is justified. Treasury Minister Laura Trott stated "I think it is for parents to discipline their child but child abuse is never acceptable," she said defending that the law was not vague. The Conservative Party claimed it is a form of ‘reasonable punishment’ and parents are entitled to discipline their child.
However, in England there is a clear confusion of where the line between discipline and abuse begins reflected in the unclear laws of child corporal punishment. Children who face physical punishment are 2.3 times more likely to experience abuse.
One girl, who remains anonymous, called ChildLine asking for help as her mum’s punishments became more serious as she got older. Turning from a small smack and sharing ‘There was one occasion where she pulled my hair and I fell to the floor, and she continuously hit me. I don't want to get mum in trouble, but I can't carry on being afraid of her." We need to do more to protect our children from abuse. Allowing physical punishment of children causes problems that follows children for life and increases their likelihood of experience serious abuse. This law will protect them.
Other countries have proved that changing the law makes a huge impact on the protection of a child. The organisation, End Violence Against Children has looked how Sweden, the first to introduce this type of ban, noticed a dramatic difference. Half of the children were regularly subjected to physical punishment with some facing abuse in the 1970s before prohibition. This was reduced to a few per cent in 2000s. Proving changing the law will be effective in protecting children from serious abuse. Even closer to home has noticed differences. Wales has found that more people are disagreeing that ‘it is sometimes necessary to smack a child’.
If something causes harm, especially to vulnerable children, it should be banned. If we also support that banning this would cause major increases in children protect, then it should be banned. Children deserve to feel safe, especially at home. How we have prioritised the protection of adults from assault when children remain at risk is simply unjustifiable. They deserve equal rights as adults. It seems absurd that children have less protection from assault under the law.
Undeniable evidence is being ignored as England and Northern Ireland are trailing behind Wales and Scotland. Why it is still not clear or being implemented is absurd. How can violence against children ever be justified when does more harm than good and the law should reflect that.
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