It is “impossible” to conclude that reasonable chastisement harms children, a review by The Christian Institute has found.
‘Does Smacking Contribute to Negative Outcomes for Children?’ analysed 37 peer-reviewed studies. Despite popular claims that ‘just one smack’ can ‘scar children for life’, the review noted that negative correlations are often small, inconsistent, and may be down to family instability, socio-economic status and pre-existing temperament.
The research raises serious questions about the evidential basis for smacking bans, such as those in Scotland and Wales, and backs investment in parental support, family stability and further research, instead of new legislation.
‘Highly questionable’
Researchers examined the associations between reasonable chastisement and children’s “externalising behaviours”, such as aggression and antisocial behaviour, and “internalising behaviours”, including mental health issues and low self-esteem.
Most of the reviewed studies found that “parental warmth had some level of moderating effect” on any negative outcomes, but since the studies only focused on early childhood, the Institute indicated that long-term warmth could lead to “an even greater moderating effect”.
A foreword by academics, including Dr Ashley Frawley of the University of Kent, stated: “Rather than constantly turning to experts, including those whose expertise is highly questionable, sometimes politicians need to use their common sense and to listen to their constituents.
“If they did so, they would understand that parents have a tough enough job without needing to constantly look over their shoulder or to be criminalised for trying to get on with their lives, and look after and raise their kids.”
Public opposition
In September, a poll revealed that more parents of school-age children in England and Northern Ireland oppose a ban on smacking than support it.
Of 3,692 parents surveyed by YouGov on behalf of the charity Parentkind, 43 per cent said it should be legal “for parents to smack their children”, while only 39 per cent were in favour of a smacking ban.
The Christian Institute spearheads the Be Reasonable campaign, which opposes the criminalisation of loving parents who use smacking as a form of ‘reasonable chastisement’, currently protected under law.
Latest attempt to ban smacking would only ‘criminalise loving parents’