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World moving towards abolition of physical punishment of children, says expert
English-speaking countries are among the most reluctant to make physically punishing children illegal, says a children’s rights expert.
For interview: Anne Smith email: anneb.smith@otago.ac.nz / (03) 9429 9437 or 04 4906 3196
Education media contact: Catriona May: email: catriona.may@unimelb.edu.au / (03) 8344 3357
University of Melbourne media contact: Katherine Smith: k.smith@unimelb.edu.au / (03) 8344 3845 / 0402460147
Emeritus Professor Anne Smith from the University of Otago, spoke this week (24 March) at the University of Melbourne’s Graduate School of Education.
Over the past 20 years, an increasing number of countries have amended their law to prohibit the physical punishment of children in all settings, including the home. However, of the 25 countries that have done so, New Zealand is the only English speaking one.
Professor Smith cites evidence that physically punishing children is a risk to their health. As with other risks to children’s health (like failure to use car seats), she believes governments should discourage its use.
"Physical punishment of children is associated with increased child aggression and antisocial behaviour; poorer quality parent-child relationships; depression, anxiety, low self esteem; and diminished ability to internalise parental values. And yet, unfortunately, making it illegal remains controversial in some countries", she says.
"Laws justifying physical punishment of children,are similar to previous laws which justified physical punishment of wives, slaves, prisoners and apprentices."
Professor Smith argues that law reform is only likely to be effective in changing attitudes if it is accompanied by public education and parenting support, as it was in Sweden and Germany.
She is, however, positive about the progress that has been made globally since the introduction of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in1990.
"Progress is being made towards a different mindset, which respects children’s dignity and human rights, and acknowledges there are many more effective methods of parenting, such as reasoning and praise.
"When the convention was introduced, physically punishing children was only illegal in 4 countries. Now it’s illegal in 25 - we’re certainly moving in the right direction."
Emeritus Professor Anne Smith is currently writing a book, Realising the rights of children - global progress towards ending physical punishment with Professor Joan Durrant from the University of Manitoba in Canada.
