Exploring Glasgow Parent's Views on the 'Smacking Ban' (Equal Protection from Assault Bill)

[smackingban]

Hello,

I'm a Master of Public Health student at the University of Glasgow who is carrying out research on Glasgow parental attitudes around the smacking ban/protection from assault bill.

The main research component is a 3-5 minute survey created with the help of an anonymous group of parents in Glasgow.

There have been studies on the general public, but no one has really asked parents how they feel about this change. My aim is for this research to identify how government and other agencies can support parents through this change (be it through better communication, practical parenting support etc).

If any parents from Glasgow could find the time to complete the survey, or share it with friends, it would be much appreciated.

goo.gl/forms/CLCdw8COlt9cfV652

Thanks,

Chris Sweeney

@smackingban I found your survey very interesting. I am and have always been opposed to smacking but as I do not live in Glasgow could not complete it. Is there a reason for limiting research to Glasgow rather than Scotland wide?

Hi, there are a few reasons for this:

a) A focus group was used to help design the survey. The group was made up of parents in Glasgow, so I can use the survey to see if their vies are held by others in the city.

b) Recruitment strategy; I've contact around 20 parenting groups in Glasgow asking if they are interested in taking part. I wouldn't be able to do this for the whole of Scotland for a variety of reasons.

c) My professional background means I have experience in the area being researched, and as I have worked in Glasgow I can relate the findings directly to practice.

There are more reasons, but I hope this helps explain the rationale.

Done!

Good questionnaire.

My only quibble is with the final question (before the demographic ones) as it didn't allow any definition or caveats regarding "I would still smack anyway".

Having read many threads on smacking on MN, there is a wide variation as to what people call "smacking". For some people it is full on beating - others will define a "smack" as including a tap on the hand or a soft tap on a (nappied) bottom - and only for the "shock" (ie not to hurt) value with pre-verbal toddlers.

@prettybird; some of the questions at the end are from previous surveys carried out last time the law was altered (around reasonable chastisement). By using these questions, I can offer comparisons to previous research. I think the most interesting part of this question is whether parents report whether they law will impact their behaviour.

Thank you to everyone who has replied so far. If anyone can share the survey with friends and partners it would be much appreciated!

Hi,

A quick update to share that the findings were published; you can find them here: www.communitypractitioner.co.uk/resources/2019/05/exploring-glasgow-parents%E2%80%99-views-equal-protection-assault-bill

There were also presented in poster format which you can download here: www.parliament.scot/S5_Equal_Opps/equal%20protection/CEPFA_063_CHRISTOPHER_SWEENEY.pptx

Thank you to everyone who took part in the research.