To be happy it will soon be illegal to smack children?

[speakout]

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-41678797

Brilliant news.

No it's not illegal in Scotland. It's illegal to hit a child using an implement, to shake them or hit them on the head. But smacking isn't illegal, in fact the link in the OP is reporting a possible change in Scots law being brought via a private members bill.

I don't think parents will end up with a criminal record for smacking their child but it will set a clear line for discipline and open the door for support services to work with families. Hopefully it'll herald a cultural shift away from violence towards children and young people.

This is really not going to result in many more children ending up in care: that will continue to be the absolute last resort, and won't be triggered by smacking unless it's extreme, in which case it would come into the abuse category which results in care proceedings even under the current law.

I agree with the change but more needs to be done in educating parents on how to react in difficult situations.

But when it became unacceptable to hit your wife or illegal to rape her did men need education on how to react when they lost their rag?

If this bill is passed ( and it's likely that it will) then parent will have to face the consequences of assault.

How do they cope at the moment if the get angry with the dog or frustrated with grandma? Give them a slap?

Funny how they can restrain themselves when it comes to others that frustrate them but not vulnerable children.

Its not 'legal' its classified as a ( common ) assault and always has been in England and Wales.
Historically, it was a **defence that the alleged battery of a child was the correction of the child by its parent.

It may not immediately change behaviour behind closed doors but it is an important step in slowly changing social perception.

marbles - as a generalisation it's children who are disciplined with violence are more likely to commit crimes or exhibit anti social behaviour than those who aren't.

It’s great news.

I wish other countries would hurry up and move with the times already!

Not sure how enforceable it is. What will the charge be based on if there is no physical mark, the child is very young and nobody else saw what happened?

Striking someone smaller/weaker than you is the act of a coward.

Soci - but you could say then what is the point of a law protecting other vulnerable groups?

What about adults who have learning disabilities or communication problems, elderly people with Alzheimers or indeed adults who are too afraid or vulnerable to report an attack- is having a law to protect them from physical assault a waste of time?

Having laws that protect everyone from assault will change culture, even behind closed doors.
Assault on children will never be stopped, nor on adults either but a law will reduce the incidence.

Good! It's frankly ridiculous that it's legal.

I actually do think it will make a difference. I was surprised when one of my friends said that she sometimes smacks her 2yo's bottom if behaviour is bad. I think some people genuinely think it's an acceptable way to discipline children. My mil used to snack my DH too. I've never been smacked so even that really surprised me.

I'm not sure tbh, my son went to school with a scratch on his head and he told the teacher it was me when asked and they called the police on me.. It wasn't me at all it was his little brother and I had witnesses so it didn't go any further but I can imagine it will lead to more children being in care yes.

My point^^ being that if these people knew it was against the law I bet they wouldn't think it was an acceptable thing to do.

So it will quite rightly be illegal to smack a child, but still be legal to cut pieces off a baby boy's penis.
How is that reasonable?

GladAllOver I don't think anyone is suggesting that is reasonable.

Then the law should make it illegal too.

I agree with gladallover. I can’t believe it’s not illegal to circumcise or pierce a baby’s ears but to smack is going to be banned.

I think it depends on the child what punishment is effective. I confess I have smacked after trying absolutely everything else (I have a challenging child, trust me I’ve even taken professional advice) and it doesn’t work with her. The only thing she responds too is being told she can’t have something she wants or to be not taken somewhere.

My other child is completely different. You only have to say something in a stern voice and his lip will quiver!

Jessikita do you hit other people or animals too or is it just children that you hit?

Andrewofgg as a guardian reader and what would probably be described as a 'leftie' I disagree with the smacking of children and I think that it's wrong whatever the culture/Creed/religion etc. is. Not quite sure that there was a need to use the topic to bash people with other political views.

I don't understand - the news article says that smacking children will become illegal in Scotland.

It is currently NOT illegal to smack a child in Scotland.
It is ILLEGAL to hit a child with an implement in Scotland.
No idea about England.

YANBU. Great news.

Meh I smacked my kid 3 times in 5 years. Last time was about 3 years ago? It’s not my go to method of discipline,DD doesn’t even remember it.
I have friends that do smack,I can understand why. They’re not bad parents.

I guess the issue though is that so many hide their abusive tendencies behind a “smack”.
With all the palaver and debates over what’s acceptable what isn’t,what’s legal what isn’t,what’s discipline and what’s abuse , kids do end up harmed . So I can see why it would be easier to just say “none of it it’s acceptable “.

I agree smacking is awful and not the appropriate way to teach your children.

However I think more education is certainly needed in child development, learning and behaviour. I think a lot of parents learn from their peers or family how to raise their kids. What we really need is professional support for parents and resources they can access easily. Obviously we have the internet and libraries to access info but if professional help was easier to acquire that could make a difference in some children's lives.

rebel

Meh I smacked my wife 3 times in 5 years. Last time was about 3 years ago? It’s not my go to method of discipline, my wife doesn’t even remember it.
I have friends that do smack their wives too can understand why. They’re not bad husbands.

Good.

Apparently to some smacking did them no harm....well yes, because your brains addled if you think assaulting small children is ok.