AIBU to wonder what parents who smack would do if it was made illegal?

[susssiq]

Would you go to parenting classes to learn other ways of raising yur children or try and manage fearing your kids will become delinquent, or do it and hope to get away with it.

I am a brit living in Sweden where it has been illegal to smack since 1979 and Sweden isn't particularly known as a country full of delinquents...

Lost, you have written everything I have in the past tried to put down!!

I rarely slap my boys. But they have had the odd smack - usually as a last resort when nothing else will work. They are so infrequent that the idea is more of a deterant than the actual smack I think!

I have seen parents lose it with their kids and smack them repeatedly, not just limited to a cushioned bum. I have been on the receiving end of this as a child too.

This is why I am loathe to use smacking as the only punishment, or as a frequent one at all. However, I am of the opinion that in some situations a light slap on the hand/bottom can be a parenting aide.

But I understand that I am in the minority with that in a lot of situations online.

If it were made entirely illegal the next step would be people posting "AIBU to think people should not be allowed to shout at kids"

"After all you wouldn't shout at the newsagent when you went to buy a paper so why should you shout at a helpless child"

"Just because they are smaller than you doesn't make it right to yell at them"

Now I come to think of it you people who are speaking sternly instead of smacking probably are doing all kinds of psychological damage.

well don't know about the rest of you but i have lost my rag and had a shouting match with several adults in the past....

But you could be right on the swedish forums I am on a lot of parents advocate unconditional parenting and that talking solves everything...nice if you have the patience and ability to stay calm 100% of the time.

Erm, do it anyway? I don't think making something illegal actually stops people otherwise there would be no need for prisons. Don't people still take drugs, have underage sex, steal, defraud, rape etc etc, the list is endless.

yes but most people don't. I don't think those who smack today are all people who generally break the law. Obviously it doesn't stop everyone but I for one don't break laws!! do you?

That's not the point I am trying to make. I am saying that just because something is illegal it won't necessarily stop people (in all cases).

I broke the law when I was younger. Perhaps I still do occasionally. You might actually be surprised at some of the things that are illegal and with certain by-laws!

yes that I know but do you not think it would stop some? I also broke the law as a teenager but now All laws I am aware of I respect and follow.

Some people might, Suss. I also try to stay legal these days but I have been known to break the speed limit when driving