![\"\"](\"https:\/\/world.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Smacking-children.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Today, if a parent smacks a child mid-tantrum in the supermarket, they are likely to get looks of disapproval from other shoppers. Smacking is not as socially acceptable as it used to be.<\/p>\n
Recent\u00a0research<\/a>\u00a0shows only 15% of people aged 16-24 view physical discipline as necessary to properly raise children. This compares with 38% of people over 65.<\/p>\n But it still happens \u2013 and it is very harmful to children. So we need to help parents find alternative methods of discipline.<\/p>\n In 2017, the royal commission into child sexual abuse recommended a national study on how common child abuse is in Australia. Early findings\u00a0released last month<\/a>\u00a0revealed 61% of those aged 16-24 said they were physically hit for discipline four or more times during their childhood.<\/p>\n The research also found those who were hit had almost double the risk of depression and anxiety. This partly because those who had been smacked as a child may have also experienced other forms of mistreatment, such as harsh parental reactions, neglect or insufficient support.<\/p>\n This fits with other research showing negative consequences if children are smacked or hit. A 2016\u00a0review<\/a>\u00a0of more than 70 international studies showed it was linked to reduced compliance with parents\u2019 instructions over time, children having increased aggression and antisocial behaviour, mental health problems, and lower self-esteem.<\/p>\n In adulthood, it is also linked to antisocial behaviour and being either a victim or perpetrator of intimate partner violence.<\/p>\n Currently, the use of reasonable force for the purpose of discipline in the home remains lawful under\u00a0criminal law provisions<\/a>\u00a0or common law principles made by courts. This is despite the fact it is illegal in most Australian states and territories in other settings such as schools, or between adults \u2013 where it is classed as assault.<\/p>\n Many countries are changing their laws because they understand the harms and because it is a violation of\u00a0children\u2019s right<\/a>\u00a0to live a life free from violence. Already,\u00a063 countries<\/a>\u00a0have banned corporal punishment for children, including New Zealand, Sweden, Denmark, South Korea, Wales, Scotland, France and Japan.<\/p>\n Parenting and family researchers have\u00a0long been pushing<\/a>\u00a0for an end to corporal punishment\u00a0in Australia<\/a>\u00a0as well.<\/p>\n But this is not just about law reform. Raising kids can be challenging at the best of times. Kids misbehave or may not be in control of their emotions, and parents need to provide guidance to their children about what is appropriate behaviour. The prevalence of #corporalpunishment<\/a> in Australia – early data from the #ACMS<\/a> study was released at AIFS @FamilyStudies<\/a> conference 16 Jun. Read more about the findings \u2935\ufe0f\u2935\ufe0f\u2935\ufe0fhttps:\/\/t.co\/dCeCxUqtjc<\/a><\/p>\n — ACU_ICPS (@ACU_ICPS) June 28, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n It is more common than you might think<\/strong><\/h3>\n
What does the law say?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Parenting is stressful<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n\n