To smack or not to smack?

What a controversy the latest research on smacking  children has sparked. A few weeks on and people are still sharing their viewpoints, for and against.

Howard Sattler, my radio host on 6PR is ready to battle with me on this one.

He says he got a belting when he was young and he thinks it was good for him. He knows my viewpoint is different and that I believe in positive parenting. My experience has shown me that too much smacking lowers self esteem. One good smack on the bottom  for a young child occasionally may be beneficial as it establishes the parent as the authority in the home. Too much smacking or hurting the child in any way is damaging. The research showed that adolescents who  were hurt when young, or who are hit when older,  did poorer at school and behaviourally.

We will be battling it out at 6.30pm EST this Monday.  Hope you will join us.You can listen via radio or online. Online listeners click here and then click on the LISTEN LIVE button.

In the meantime, what do you think? Debate and discussion welcome here.

Renee Mill has written 255 articles on this blog.

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