Children's Commissioner for England Dame Rachel de Souza has said that smacking children should be banned, and we want to hear your thoughts on the issue.
Wales made the move to put a ban in place last month (March), following Scotland where a ban has been in place since November 2020.
Speaking to Times Radio, De Souza said: “I absolutely abhor, and I’m against, violence of any kind against children. Because children are more vulnerable than adults, I think we do need to ensure that their rights are supported.”
Let us know in the comments section.
Some readers have already had their say, with one in favour of smacking saying: " This is why we have feral youths running amok with no respect for anything or anyone as there is no consequence.
"Yes we got smacked, caned, a clip around the ear off a neighbour or the local bobby. It was called a short, sharp shock that put you in your place and learned you discipline and respect."
However, many were in favour of a ban, with one person responding: " To gain discipline and respect you need consistency not smacking.
"To say that kids nowadays are more likely to be delinquents because they weren’t smacked is ridiculous, the best behaved children have emotionally regulated parents who can demonstrate how to handle themselves in tough situations"
Someone else added: " Crazy how we all expect the smacking of an adult to be illegal but think it’s perfectly fine to smack a child"
Another reader also pointed out: " Yes, we used to smack kids, but we also used to allow kids to buy gin and watch public executions. Society develops and moves on, what was acceptable ten years ago is now considered unacceptable."
Do you think smacking children should be banned in England? Let us know in the comments section.
