Main Points Doctors Back Total Ban on Smacking Children in England

 

1 Call for a Ban

• The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health is pushing for a complete ban on smacking in England
• The proposed change would remove the legal defense of reasonable punishment which currently allows parents to use limited physical discipline

2 Current Legal Position

• Englands laws permit reasonable punishment under the Children Act 2004
• Scotland 2020 and Wales 2022 have already banned smacking classifying it as assault
• Advocates argue that England should follow to ensure equal protection for children

3 Medical and Child Welfare Concerns

• Pediatricians and child protection experts say smacking leads to aggression anxiety and long term mental health issues
• The NSPCC and other organizations support a ban citing research that links smacking to negative behavioral outcomes
• A YouGov poll found that 71 percent of adults in England believe smacking is unacceptable

4 The Case of Sara Sharif

• The murder of 10 year old Sara Sharif in 2023 has intensified calls for reform
• Campaigners argue that banning smacking would send a clear message against all forms of physical discipline

5 Political Debate

• Some conservative politicians and parents rights groups oppose the ban arguing that it would interfere with parental authority
• Englands Childrens Commissioner and many MPs support a ban to align England with international standards
• More than 60 countries including France Germany and Sweden have already outlawed physical punishment

6 Conclusion

• The government is under pressure to amend the Childrens Wellbeing and Schools Bill to remove the reasonable punishment defense
• The decision in the coming months could determine whether England strengthens child protection laws or maintains the right for parents to smack their children