World

NZ parents vote to smack their kids

by Babel-Fish | August 24, 2009 at 03:28 am

192 views | 12 Recommendations | 2 comments

A referendum on the smacking of children has just been held in New Zealand and 88 per cent of Kiwis who took part voted to re-legalize it.

Two years ago the Labor Government made it illegal for parents to smack their children as a form of discipline and the law generated emotional debate.

Many parents believe the law has eroded their rights, while child advocates say it is making a positive difference.

Now, despite the referendum result, New Zealand Prime Minister John Key says he will not be scrapping the law.

New Zealand has an appalling track record when it comes to child abuse; from October last year to April this year - which is just a six-month period - there were 279 assaults children.

Katrina McLennan works as a family court lawyer in New Zealand.

"If you look at any of the statistics, whether it is for assaults of partners, assaults of children, assaults in the community - clearly in New Zealand we have a huge problem with violence that we desperately need to address," she said.

Being someone that was disiplined by a slap on the leg, and brought up my children in such a brutish fashion too only finding out to late that I was doing wrong in punishing my kids in such a fashion without bruising or being heavy handed though. I am amazed that the doctor Spock crowd in New Zealand have lost the battle in reference to parental discipline. But also surprised a Prime Minister is going against the wishes of his people? They want the rights to slap naughty children and to them that is not abuse its a need. No discipline at home maybe the cause of crime and kids stepping of the rails. This is not because parents want to abuse their children such disipline is the last option no normal person want to hurt their kids.

Well I still feel guilty as hell for following the normal pattern of yesteryear, but it certainly did the trick and the kids turned out okay knowing good is better than evil and having good morals, not being selfish has its rewards.

But the guilt will never go away.... But I feel the kids pain was needed and in fact the embarisment of being smacked was actually the part of such punishment that was more effective than the pain. Its no good just talking to kids when they don't want to listen I have spent hours doing that it don't work.

There is however a very bold line between a gentle slap and abuse punishment should never be issued in anger and never brutally. Kids should be treated with respect and love and they must learn respect or they can go off the rails.

I have seen this no smacking policy spread and I feel that it is the main factor in youth crime rates going upward. Also the rudness of youths in the streets. . .

8 See all footage | View Slideshow

Share: email story | add to any | | facebook | stumbleupon

recommend This comment thread is now closed

Babel-Fish

at 04:52 on August 24th, 2009

Of course I come from the old school when it comes to discipline and many would at me as being cruel and anti-children's rights? but my kids never ended up in jail and nor did I.

Babel-Fish

at 08:34 on August 24th, 2009

He said parents who lightly smack their children should not fear being treated like criminals, and that he would not ignore the referendum.

The measures outlined today were unlikely to placate those who supported the right to smack, and who wanted the law changed to explicitly allow light smacking.

Other wise the law will be used against those that really abuse their children and parental disipline is okay. A comprimise of which looks good to me.