Answer Back: Children’s views on discipline
Conor Magowan-Greene, 10, Belfast
Smacking is a bad idea. It probably makes kids more desperate not to get caught, which just leads to more trouble. Grounding works for some. Others do not care. Shouting at kids is often like yelling at a brick wall. A punishment that might work is to make them stay outside for a few hours each day, but not to let them see their friends cruel but efficient.
| Smacking is bad as it makes kids more desperate not to get caught. |
Lisa Skinner, 16, Belfast
Smacking small children is a sin. Parents need to keep their cool and learn to deal with children in a sensible way. It is a good idea to try to prevent bad behaviour in the first place. Parents should respect their children just as we should respect our parents.
Thomas Kielty, 15, Belfast
Smacking is a good idea, but grounding and taking away childrens privileges are more effective. The important thing is that parents dont give in and that they see a punishment through to the end. Recently my Mum took my computer off me because I was messing about. Life was miserable because I play it all the time.
Andrew Hopkins, 12, Birmingham
I think that parents should smack because it is an effective way to discipline someone. It will scare them into not doing it again unless they want a really sore ass.
David Burnham, 15, Sheffield
Hitting children does not teach them boundaries it just hurts and humiliates them. In extreme cases, smacking should be allowed, but not for simple things. Childminders should definitely not be given permission to hit children, and the Government should not support such measures.
Oliver Robertson, 18, London
Smacking as a punishment is wrong, even as a last resort. A really severe punishment should be something different, such as being sent to your room or banned from watching television. A real punishment is your parents being displeased with you, and they can show that in ways other than smacking.
Carmen Kalnars, 11, London
Smacking is an uncivilised way of disciplining children. A parent who smacks his child shows a lack of self-control and is a bad example.
Zak Garner-Purkis, 13, London
No one should ever strike a child. It does not bring a sense of discipline or authority. It just damages the child mentally and physically.
About answer back
answer back is a weekly column by Children's Express members, published in the Parents' pages of The Times.
