People with young children....

**JPaul** · 10-13-2008, 07:59 PM

I'm not sure which devolved issue covers it.

Education, Health or Law and Order presumably.

Maybe all three.

**Biggles** · 10-13-2008, 08:01 PM

Originally Posted by JPaul

Smacking and the Law in the United Kingdom
Prior to 1998, British parents were afforded the right to use “reasonable chastisement” to discipline their children but the subjective term “reasonable” was never well explained. In September of that year, the European Court of Human Rights decided that this law did not adequately protect children’s rights and so the Children’s Act of 2004 sought to clarify the laws surrounding smacking. Under Section 58 of the Act, smacking remains legal as long as it does not cause visible bruises, grazes, scratches, swelling or cuts. As of June 2007, these conditions provoked a Ministerial review of Section 58 of the Children’s Act with some Ministers again calling for an outright ban on smacking children. Scotland operates some smacking bans, and strict definitions of “reasonable” punishments. The Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People is seeking a full and outright ban on smacking children.

I think it's for weans under 3 in Scotland.

But the ones under three are the ones least likely to stab you when you are asleep as revenge!

Shome Mishtake Shurley?

**Skweeky** · 10-13-2008, 08:04 PM

So are you or are you not allowed to smack under 3's? Because I seriously think there is not much wrong with a wee slap on the behind

**Biggles** · 10-13-2008, 08:11 PM

Originally Posted by Skweeky

So are you or are you not allowed to smack under 3's? Because I seriously think there is not much wrong with a wee slap on the behind

As far as I know a wee warning whack has never been the issue - it is the psychos who lose the plot in Woolies or similar that would fall foul of such legislation (no matter the age of the kid)

Cattle prods are right out though ...

at least that was my reading of it.

**JPaul** · 10-13-2008, 08:13 PM

I think strictly speaking it's banned for under threes. However the spirit is to stop excessive or unreasonable punishment.

**Biggles** · 10-13-2008, 08:18 PM

Originally Posted by JPaul

I think strictly speaking it's banned for under threes. However the spirit is to stop excessive or unreasonable punishment.

Our metal work teacher at school would have defined excessive as capital punishment .....well excepting for smoking in the boiler-room and cheeking teachers obviousment