Northern Ireland policy makers are seeking opinions on physical punishment in the home. But as Children's Express report, most young people say smacking doesn't work.
| Your home is meant to be a safe place and not somewhere you are afraid of. |
Most young people in Northern Ireland think smacking is a bad form of discipline and can create long-term resentment towards parents.
That's the findings of a recent survey carried out by Children's Express, a programme of learning through journalism for young people aged eight to 18.
The office of Law Reform is currently running a consultation on behalf of the Northern Ireland Executive and asking should the Law be changed to stop physical punishment being administered in the home.
Two-thirds of young people asked for their opinion on smacking for the survey said it was an inappropriate form of punishment; while slightly more than half of the adults questioned said smacking was acceptable.
"I don't think we are biologically given a personality; I think socialisation from childhood sort of depicts and makes who we are - smacking just makes people live in fear and not in freedom," said an 18-year-old boy, who took part in the survey.
A 19-year-old girl said: "Say your wee brothers and sisters are fighting and your mum or dad comes along and hits them for being bad, it is showing them if you do something wrong you should just hit them - a pointless lesson."
The consultation paper "Thinking About The Issues, Looking At The Evidence," launched by the Office of Law Reform, aims to support parents to use non-violent approaches to discipline and to encourage government to reform the law.
Twenty years ago, Sweden banned the smacking of children and promoted a public positive discipline campaign. The Swedish Parents' Code was supported overwhelming and there has been a marked reduction in serious child abuse cases.
Children are Unbeatable, an alliance of children's organisations welcome this public consultation. They hope that the law will be reformed because they believe children should have the same legal protection with regards to physical assault as adults.
"Adults did not like to be hit when they were children so why do they do it to us? I will not hit my child because I think violence is really wrong. Your home is meant to be a safe place and not somewhere you are afraid of," said 12-year-old Kirsty McClenaghan.
Save the Children fully supports the Office of Law Reform's consultation and say banning smacking falls in line with European human rights legislation and statutory duty requirements.
"When my parents smack me it makes me feel unloved and angry. It does not teach me a lesson, in fact it makes me want to defy them even more," said Ben Hurley, 14.
About the team
This article was produced by reporters Kirsty McClenaghan and Emma Orr, both aged 12. It was published in the Belfast Telegraph.
