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-223

CADRP-223

 

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)

A loving smack from a loving parent train a child to be obedient and therefore safe, especially a young child that does not understand reasoning yet. There is no need to fight with the strong-willed child resulting in a public fight and spectacular - like what we see in public on a daily basis these days. By not being allowed to smack, it creates frustrates parents and a breakdown in relationships. Smacking builds a good relationship between a parent and a child, since a smack is short and sharp and over, does not rely on the child's co-operation and is followed by comfort and a repair in the relationship. The child is not sent into isolation where he is left to his own immature thoughts, and not being trained by his parent. A child that is smacked is an obedient child - meaning the valid threat of a smack is often consequence enough to result in a relationship repair.

This parent, loving his child, teaching him to be an obedient, respectful citizen should not be criminalized. Everybody knows the difference between a smack and abuse. The police and social services do not need to be overworked any further - that will ensure true abuse gets missed. Rather use these resources to train parents HOW to smack in love. Smacking isn't violence.

 

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. The government has no right to govern families. This is the role of the parents, not the government. Parents are adults that are on par with the government and can make their own decisions about raising their children. Children needs to be overseen and trained, not parents.

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)

Overseeing parents in the walls of their own houses, will not be possible, unless social services and policing are increased. Reports in school will need to be followed up and take valuable resources away from where it is really needed.

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)

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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)

In general, parents do not smack the way they did 30 years ago. Today's youth are disrespectful and disobedient. By banning those who are still aiming to raise respectful children, you are destroying the last generation trying to raise children who honor and respect each other, aiming to serve each other, rather than being self-focused own-will people. When smacking was banned in Sweden, there was in increase in violence among children, resulting in selfish adults, having only their own interest at heart. That is not good for the community at large.

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)

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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)

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