[Jack_]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

I agree jack. And I have kids, both are well behaved and I don't smack them.

Exactly, people can try and defend it all they want, but really, smacking isn't the right course of action when disciplining a child.

Originally Posted by Livia

I think there's a massive difference between smacking a child on the leg and beating a child. I had three of four smacks when I was little and all for good reason. I knew why I was smacked. I wasn't struck excessively, it was more the shock factor than the pain and I don't think I suffered for it.

If this woman wants to mount a huge crusade, I think there are better causes. Perhaps choose kids who are neglected, maybe choose kids who spend their whole life in the care system without ever knowing the love of a family, maybe kids who are actually beaten and abused and butt out of telling people how to discipline their own children.

I was smacked a couple of times as a child, not often, but sometimes, and whilst it hasn't made me into a bad person, I am still totally against the principle of it. And that's what it is really, the principle of it. You are exerting physical force upon someone who is vulnerable and unable to retaliate, it is morally wrong. It's like exercising your power just because you can.

There are plenty of other ways to discipline a child effectively, smacking isn't and doesn't need to be one of them.