Various parts of the UK are set to see a major change in smacking laws. Smacking children is frowned upon, but it is still legal for parents in the United Kingdom if it amounts to "reasonable punishment", according to the current legislation.
Scotland and Wales are planning on altering their laws on smacking, which would make it illegal. Wales Online reported that Wales hopes to remove the current law.
The Minister for Children Huw Irranca-Davies stated that hitting children is wrong and does not belong in our modern society.
He stated that the government are working on removing the current legislation. They want to replace it with a law that makes physically punishing children illegall in Wales.
“As Minister for Children, I’ll work to ensure the rights of every child and young person in Wales are respected, so they can grow up to lead happy, healthy lives.”
He understands that society has changed, therefore the law needs to change with it, “It can no longer be acceptable in a modern and progressive society for children to be physically punished.”
The Minister added, “As a Government, we take action to protect children and support parents to use positive effective alternatives to physical punishment.”
Children’s Commissioner for Wales, Sally Holland supported the proposal, "What message are we giving to children when we say that it is ok to get others to do what you want them to do by hitting them?”
She shared that there are many other ways to discipline children if they are misbehaving, “There are much more effective, less harmful ways to teach children the difference between right and wrong.”
She promised to fight for children’s equality, “If adults are protected then children should be too.”
The Minister's view was supported by the NSPCC, they agreed that smacking children should be illegal in Wales.
“Every child deserves equal protection under the law and should be protected from such draconian forms of discipline,” said the NSPCC in a statement.
Wales will be following in the footsteps of Scotland if they change their legislation.
Last month, the Scottish Government confirmed that they plan on banning smacking.
Smacking is banned in England, but parents have a legal defence which can be found under section 58 of the Children Act 2004.
It is illegal for nursery staff, care workers and teaching staff to hit children. Child-minders can smack children if they have the parents’ permission.
