by Francis Harris

Created on: March 26, 2010

Smacking a child is controversial. Popular opinion on whether we should smack a child or not has swung from 'yes' to 'no' informed as it is by changing psychological theories. And, regardless of which academic theory the parent believes, legislation further constrains what a parent is legally allowed to do in different parts of the world - making it dangerous for some to even write articles such as

Why I think occasionally smacking your child is NOT wrong since (depending where they are) such a parent is technically condoning child abuse.

ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST SMACKING

Arguments against smacking children claim it is unnecessary physical force; violence to the child; that it teaches aggression; that parents are often out of control and angry in such situation and will hit their child with undue force; that the child's well-being is in danger because of being corrected in this way - especially when an implement is used such as cane or belt; with the over-riding assumption that children don't want it (although they are never asked in official policy-making and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of a Child does demand that children are included in policy making - although this never happens).

Arguments for smacking children claim that young children need clear direction about correct behavior. In their early cognitive stages they are unable to engage in the high level of reflection and reasoning necessary to modify behavior through time-out and benefit most from the feedback of smack accompanied by suitable tone of voice to convey disapproval about a certain action - behavior that is dangerous, rude, socially unacceptable or whatever. They also benefit from physical, or corporal, forms of approval such as smacking with the "hi-5", hugs and kisses because they are at an early developmental stage.

Arguments about the harm of the smack (using a flat open hand) for disciplinary purposes, tend to forget the corresponding smack used in encouragement of praise in the "hi-5". In both cases the child is impacted with similar physical force but when used as discipline people become concerned that the action is physical assault, but when used as approval and praise all such concerns vanish.

Clearly there are some inconsistencies in the logic of those who believe that children are being physically assaulted and abused by smacking. If smacking is not allowed, then the "hi-5" should also be outlawed and children given no physical contact at all - at least until

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