1.  
   O from Yorkshire says:

   Jan 9, 11:39

   I was slapped as a child and have come to no harm. Then in my day police officers were'nt needed in schools because we all had respect for the teachers. No doubt the yobs will still rule the roost because the police are just observers and the next step will be to have armed guards!

   Is smacking acceptable?

   Depends on circumstances
2.  
   Sybs from Herts says:

   Jan 9, 11:07

   Of course it is acceptible to smack a child on the legs, but never the head - if you do not, how is the child going to know the difference between right and wrong?. There has to be boundaries set for children so that they know they can only go so far and no further. My Mom in Ireland used to chase us around the room with a cane and when she caught us we had a good couple of whips around the legs, but it never harmed me in any way, but I learned the word RESPECT - just look at today's youth? this is what becomes of children who are not taught to tow the line and have respect, a word that is sadly missing in schools today. A couple of smacks never harmed anyone of my generation.
3.  
   ar graham from glasgow says:

   Jan 9, 10:41

   a child should never ever be hit, a have 3 daughters and a dont believe a child should be hit. whatsever...
4.  
   T.Morgan from Swansea says:

   Jan 9, 10:39

   "Spare the rod and spoil the child !" is as true now as it ever was - but note that "smacking" is not the same as "beating" !
   A good smack never did me or my three children any harm. I was also punished by a teacher who delivered a wicked slipper to the backside ( while I grinned at the rest of the class !) and also by mounted police Sergeant Watson who caught me trespassing and gave me a couple of resounding whacks with his gauntlet. No harm done and a lesson learned

   Is smacking acceptable?

   If it's your own child
5.  
   jj from notts says:

   Jan 9, 10:23

   It isn't a question of acceptability, it's a question of effectiveness. Research shows that punishment does not, on the whole, cause people to alter their behaviour (just look at the criminal justice system) and smacking only creates fear in young children and resentment and rebellion in older children. Neither of which are any use at all in developing healthy, pro-social adults. All smacking achieves is a release of anger and frustration in the parent, which boils down to bullying, not behaviour modification.

   Is smacking acceptable?

   No

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