Consultation on the Children (Abolition of Defence of Reasonable Punishment) (Wales) Bill

Tystiolaeth i’r Pwyllgor Plant, Pobl Ifanc ac Addysg ar gyfer craffu Cyfnod 1 Bil Plant (Diddymu Amddiffyniad Cosb Resymol) (Cymru)

Evidence submitted to the Children, Young People and Education Committee for Stage 1 scrutiny of the Children (Abolition of Defence of Reasonable Punishment) (Wales) Bill

CADRP-104

CADRP-104

 

About you

Individual

1      The Bill’s general principles

1.1     Do you support the principles of the Children (Abolition of Defence of Reasonable Punishment) (Wales) Bill?

— No

1.2     Please outline your reasons for your answer to question 1.1

(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)

I believe as a principle that the Government, and politicians in general, has no right to interfere in family life. Parents have the fundamental right in the upbringing of their own children, including appropriate discipline to ensure that they become good family members and good citizens. The element of discipline administered needs to include the option, albeit 'last ditch', to administer LOVING physical correction in relation to this seeking to be a deterrent to future misbehaviour. This, of course, does NOT mean that I in any way countenance child abuse, but the two issues are totally separate, and I believe the legislation is already in place to deal with child abuse, whether by un-loving parents or not.

I would comment that, as a retired person, I virtually never had to physically discipline my own children, but that is related to how they were brought up right from babyhood. Children need to have SELF- discipline instilled from the time they are still babies; if this is not done, society sadly develops in many ways we often see today.

1.3     Do you think there is a need for legislation to deliver what this Bill is trying to achieve?

(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)

NO!

2      The Bill’s implementation

2.1     Do you have any comments about any potential barriers to  implementing the Bill? If no, go to question 3.1

(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)

No - see my comments in 1.2 above

2.2     Do you think the Bill takes account of these potential barriers?

(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)

-

3      Unintended consequences

3.1     Do you think there are there any unintended consequences arising from the Bill? If no, go to question 4.1

(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)

Yes. There is a risk that control is lost for parents in the upbringing of their children; effectively there is a risk that the state takes over controlling that upbringing. That sounds a bit dramatic, but I believe that this is the logical outcome.

4      Financial implications

4.1     Do you have any comments on the financial implications of the Bill (as set out in Part 2 of the Explanatory Memorandum)? If no, go to question 5.1

(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)

No.

5      Other considerations

5.1     Do you have any other points you wish to raise about this Bill?

(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)

No.