England has not banned smacking whereas it has been in Scotland and Wales. It was banned in Scotland on 7th November 2020 and 21st March 2022 in Wales. In Scotland this was a revision of The Children (Equal Protection from Assault) (Scotland) Act 2019 the law change removed the “reasonable chastisement”. In wales, (Abolition of Defence of Reasonable Punishment) (Wales) Act 2020 all types of physical punishment, such as smacking, hitting, slapping and shaking, are illegal.
There are movements in England, with growing calls for a ban on physical discipline in homes.
Smacking is the act of physically disciplining a child by striking them. This was accepted as a normal aspect of discipline. Views have shifted.
In England, the law currently allows parents to use “reasonable chastisement” when disciplining their children. This legal defence permits parents to physically discipline their children so long as the punishment does not leave a mark or cause serious harm.
Ambiguity perpetuates confusion and makes it difficult to determine when discipline crosses the line into abuse. The recent court case of Sara Sharif, who died by her father’s beatings, all 3 defendants deny murder, using reasonable chastisement as defence. How in any way can this be possible?
Advocates for a smacking ban cite several reasons rooted in both the rights of the child and the long-term psychological impacts of corporal punishment.
Banning smacking aims to protect children from harm. Children are among the most vulnerable members of society, and they depend on adults for their safety. Research has shown that physical punishment is linked to increased aggression, antisocial behaviour, and mental health issues later in life. By outlawing smacking, England would be prioritising the protection of children from both immediate harm and long-term psychological damage.
Children deserve the same protection from violence as adults. England is a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), which calls for the protection of children from “all forms of physical or mental violence.” From this perspective, allowing any form of physical punishment stands in stark contrast to the principle that violence against children is unacceptable.
Many countries have already banned smacking, and proponents argue that England should align itself with international standards on child protection.
Attitudes toward parenting have evolved significantly in recent decades. More parents are seeking positive discipline strategies that do not rely on fear or physical force. Techniques using verbal guidance are considered more effective in teaching children appropriate behaviour. Banning smacking would help encourage these modern, non-violent approaches to discipline.
One of the main criticisms of the current law is that it is vague. The term “reasonable chastisement” leaves room for interpretation, creating potential loopholes where harm could be justified. A full ban would clarify that any form of physical punishment is unacceptable, removing the grey areas that currently exist in the law.
Despite the growing movement toward a smacking ban, not everyone agrees with this approach. Some argue that banning smacking would infringe on parents’ rights to make decisions about how they raise their children. They claim that the state has no place in dictating family discipline and that moderate smacking can be an effective tool for teaching children right from wrong.
Others fear that a ban would criminalise well-meaning parents who use light physical discipline without malice. They argue that it could overwhelm child protection services with cases of minor smacking, diverting attention from more serious cases of abuse.
Some argue that a ban would not prevent child abuse, as parents who are inclined to abuse their children would find other ways to do so. They contend that the focus should be on providing support and education to parents, rather than imposing legal restrictions.
Critics of a ban argue that it could be seen as an attack on traditional parenting practices in some cultures. They contend that the approach to discipline should be culturally sensitive and should consider the values and beliefs of different communities.
Proponents of the ban emphasise that the goal is not to criminalise parents but to change societal norms, like seatbelt laws or smoking bans. The aim is to create safer environments through gradual shifts in attitudes and behaviours, rather than punitive measures against parents.
Both Scotland and Wales have recently implemented full bans on smacking. In 2020, Scotland became the first country in the UK to prohibit all forms of corporal punishment, followed by Wales in 2022. In both cases, the laws were introduced with campaigns aimed at educating parents about non-violent forms of discipline. There has been no evidence that the bans have led to a significant increase in criminal cases against parents.
These regions serve as models for how England could approach its own ban. By pairing legislation with widespread public education and support for parents, England could make the transition to non-violent parenting practices as smooth as possible.
The debate over banning smacking in England is about how society views children and their rights. There is evidence that physical punishment does more harm than good, both in the short and long term.
A cultural shift of a ban would signal that every child deserves to grow up in an environment where they are safe from all forms of violence, and that there are better ways to teach children than through fear or pain.
The debate over banning smacking in England is complex and multifaceted. There are strong arguments for banning smacking. It is not about punishing parents but protecting children.
The future of discipline lies in positive reinforcement, clear boundaries, and compassionate guidance—not physical punishment.