New Zealand passes smacking bill

[homesick_american 1]

Glad I don't live in New Zealand....

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6660451.stm

A controversial law banning parents from hitting their children to discipline them has been passed by New Zealand's parliament.

The legislation closes a legal loophole that allowed parents to use "reasonable force" to discipline their child.

However, the new bill does allow the police to use discretion over whether a parent should be prosecuted or not.

Supporters say the previous law was too lenient, but critics say the new rules intrude too far into family life.

[MaydayDas 1]

hmmmmm, give some break to the family....i do not agree with hitting your kids but i do not agree with a law not to permit me to do that

[Oath 0]

Just on this subject but relating to the School system in Pennsyvania. What's with the new age hippy bullcrud that they're spewing to kids these days, all about touchy feely being nice hugging and loving fellow man... damn emo's.

I'm what you call a mans man, I love my kids very much, they love me but if they overstep the mark I'm on them like a rabid dog, as a result my boys are well disciplined, well behaved and try hard at things, I don't believe that letting your kid come second place and then saying "oh well done maybe next time blah blah" instills a good moral character in that child (not saying you should beat them for coming last either).

Children need discipline, some kids react to a stern word, some react to being yelled at, some to smacking. I rarely if ever smack my kids, the threat of it alone is enough for them because they know what Daddy does for a living. But we've all seen the kid in Walmart rolling on the isle screaming for some god forsaken bit of candy that evil mommy or daddy wont give him, and we have all thought "damn that kid needs a kick up the #######", difference is I generally say it out loud

In certain ways smacking within reason is ok in my book, but when you start to leave massive welts, break bones and make his life miserble thats when you've stepped over the line, there should always be a reason for it, and never just because.... Kids who are smacked as a discipline tool live normal happy lives, albeit more motivated ones, kids who are beaten generally don't but the law doesnt differentiate between the two.

I was in the 'beaten' category but it definately made me stronger and I don't believe that the violence I endured as a Child has effected my way of life much if it all, I do a violent and thankless job (well did ) but its not because I enjoy hurting people, I enjoy protecting them, even from theirselves. What shaped me most are the choices I made as an adult without the fear of a beating, good or bad, I've made my own mistakes and made some very good decisions and ultimately I don't let my past bug me in my future.

I think these anti smacking nuts need to focus their attention onto the abusers and not just the parents who give the odd smack.

The world is PC gone mad.

[homesick_american 1]

I think these anti smacking nuts need to focus their attention onto the abusers and not just the parents who give the odd smack.

The world is PC gone mad.

My brother and I were smacked as kids and we turned out fine. Better than fine, in fact; we both graduated from uni, we both have stable marriages to kind, caring people, and we're responsible law-abiding adults who have never been in trouble with the law.

If you listen to the ban-smackers, we should be serial killers or rocking violently in a padded cell. I agree...it's PC gone MENTAL.

[Oath 0]

I think these anti smacking nuts need to focus their attention onto the abusers and not just the parents who give the odd smack.

The world is PC gone mad.

My brother and I were smacked as kids and we turned out fine. Better than fine, in fact; we both graduated from uni, we both have stable marriages to kind, caring people, and we're responsible law-abiding adults who have never been in trouble with the law.

If you listen to the ban-smackers, we should be serial killers or rocking violently in a padded cell. I agree...it's PC gone MENTAL.

Exactly.

Cant do anything these days, hell you fart in public greenpeace appears protesting your gas emissions...

[homesick_american 1]

Exactly.

Cant do anything these days, hell you fart in public greenpeace appears protesting your gas emissions...

They haven't so far.

[arwensun1965 1]

I too was in the category of "Beating" other than smacking. This is more difficult then I thought at first, to type I mean, my kids will probably say "mum's bark is worse than her bite" sort of thing. I know for a fact that I have a temper but it takes a fair amount of stuff to actually make me loose it. If people knew what I went through as a child they would probably say I am surprised she ain't in a mental hospital. There are millions of adults who have gone through hell as children and are loving parents. I know there are a few who take those lessons as children and pass then on, Governments must have a program to re-educate those parents. I am not sure if I am making any sense out of this, I had to respond.

As I have got older I have found myself walking away from the simplest of arguments, not because I disagree but because my husband taught me to believe in myself, as he always says "honey you only have one life" so I remember that

[Ban Hammer 15,185]

Exactly.

Cant do anything these days, hell you fart in public greenpeace appears protesting your gas emissions...

They haven't so far.

they have for me

[Ban Hammer 15,185]

A controversial law banning parents from hitting their children to discipline them has been passed by New Zealand's parliament.

The legislation closes a legal loophole that allowed parents to use "reasonable force" to discipline their child.

However, the new bill does allow the police to use discretion over whether a parent should be prosecuted or not.

Supporters say the previous law was too lenient, but critics say the new rules intrude too far into family life.

coming soon - a ban on feeding your kids broccoli and other foods they hate

[broma25 2]

Exactly.

Cant do anything these days, hell you fart in public greenpeace appears protesting your gas emissions...

They haven't so far.

They must not have heard you....or been able to prove the emissions came from you....be careful!

[Heracles 417]

How the heck is anyone supposed to punish kids who repeatedly misbehave or are violent towards others??

The other day a friend of mine who is a teacher was saying how a kid in the 4th grade placed a plastic bag over another kids head and sealed it tight..

[eric&gen 0]

Crazy just crazy lol.

[Fandango 1,440]

I think bills and mentality like this are extremely misguided. The gov't is taking away parents' rights to discipline their children. I think part of the problem we have today is that children are growing up not fearing reprocussions....the gov't has essentially neutered parents and the kids know it.

[mawilson 2,133]

There are ways to smack them without leaving any marks or evidence.

Edited May 16, 2007 by mawilson

[Oath 0]

There are ways to smack them without leaving any marks or evidence.

Hahaha.

Don't get me started... soles of the feet for one