An ear flick is an assault to a child's head. It's an extremely dangerous and irresponsible thing for any parent to do. An eye can easily be lost. Any parent who attacks a child's head is being irresponsible. The NZ law does NOT stop a parent from smacking a child on the bum, despite Belley trying to tell us that it does. Read the NZ law and it's obvious that ordinary, everyday physical smacking is OK. Also, read the NZ law and it's obvious that overstepping the mark can land parents in trouble with the law. This is as it should be. This NZ law recognises the appropriate difference between physical discipline and abuse. Parents need to have the ability to physically discipline their children if that is what they wish, and this NZ law allows that. If that is not the case, then where are the millions of prosecutions for merely smacking children in the normal way? That's right, they don't exist. Case closed!

MaryE
"where are the millions of prosecutions for merely smacking children in the normal way?"
Do not you know MaryE that children can not claim their rights?
Do not you know that children love their parents and they are suffering when the police imprison their parents of cause their bad behavior to their children?
MaryE children have huge problems when their parents are agresive, non educated, drunk or take drugs, have personal or family problems, when they have problems in their work, when they have financial problems etc.
Every time parents have problems for one million reasons the children pay the cost of their problems.
For me the best solusion, especial in families with problems is the creation of pro schools from very early. Less time we leave the children under their parents there is bigger probability to avoid the Smacks and any kind of abuse.
The best way to protect children's interests is the creation of better society, with less press on parents, mathers or fathers.

The Pied Piper
my friend you have to care 7 children and it is not easy. I am sure you are good with them.

Antonios Symeonakis
Adelaide

The radio story I spoke of took place on radio national.
The Law Report
Date was 28/7 this year.
Unfortunately I have got one thing wrong, its not going to change the law.
What is taking place is citizens initiated referendum.
A good idea but useless, as both sides of the house say they have no intention of changing the law, what ever the out come.
Now TPP look only at MaryEs last post, that gentle flick on the ear, forget Antonius he lives on a different planet.
But people like him and MaryE have no right to get involved in how other peoples kids are cared for.
Unless true hurt is being done.
How stupid to give voters such a right, one we should all have, then ignore their wishes.

“Jewely I was a tough 9 year old, my sister then 7 was tougher.”

Of course.[smile]

“She took the blows and still refused to go to school, her and mum left us to continue on to school after that, we had 2 more k,s to go, they both too untidy and warn out did not want to be seen in town.”

Haha… good one. Me – I have no shame, the child would be at school. I just got back with four wee ones from local mall, they had a blast and are now all looking suitably tired. On the way there and back they hide behind power polls then leap out going “raarr” at me. Actually it drives me nuts but hey.

Belly:”A guilty verdict in the case I spoke of above was unsure if it was for the ear flick or alleged punch, see the ear flick is assault under current NZ Law.”

Ahh well, they got the bugger using whatever law they could. I think this is what Mary is referring to – the fact they have the law to use if they want but they haven’t really made use of it.

“Now TPP look only at MaryEs last post, that gentle flick on the ear...”

Yep she does not like flicks on the ear. I’m not sure what one is – are we talking like middle finger leaving contact with thumb rapidly? Actually seems mild to me and I don’t use physical anything.

“But people like him and MaryE have no right to get involved in how other peoples kids are cared for.
Unless true hurt is being done. How stupid to give voters such a right, one we should all have, then ignore their wishes.”

Tricky Belly, my life is getting involved with how other peoples kids are cared for.[smile]

MaryE,

I think you've mistaken my statements and information sharing for taking sides on the topic, MaryE. My comments were directed towards your gaining understanding on where that law stands comparatively against other related offences and concept of civil liberties within the legislation, MaryE. I mean, you asked the question MaryE, not me.

Do I think parents who abuse their children should be held accountable?. Of course, MaryE, they should. I think the sentencing needs to increased and Judges need to 'grow set' and stop using 'case law' to do their job for them, MaryE.

Seeing as you raise the question though, MaryE. The issue of "how many" is irrelevant. The REAL issue is if ONE PERSON falls victim to an unjust law which in turn has MASSIVE ramifications to their criminal record, potential loss of custody of kids, the flow on effect of kids going into governmental care etc etc, MaryE. That conviction will haunt you the rest of your life.

Is it worth it, MaryE?. IS 'collateral damage' of one person under an undemocratic law ok by you?.

IF they convict a BILLION people who've sexually abused and tortured their children, more power to them, MaryE. I just find it odd that you staunchly support the welfare of the kids - so you should, and as do I - but you find it ok for adult lives to be ruined.

How many innocent dead is ok in regards to death sentences in the states, MaryE?.

Hello STG, the subject here for me is "is it ok and lawful in NZ for a parent to give mild smacks to a child?". I have no desire or intention to extrapolate that into other areas of the law like death sentences in the USA. Ok, I'll rephrase my question to belly then. Can anyone produce even one instance over the past 2 years in NZ where a parent has been arrested, found guilty and sentenced for giving their child a mild smack on the bum? I'm not talking about abuse, attacks or welts or marks etc., just a normal everyday smack that probably hundreds of thousands of parents in NZ do quite often with unruly kids.

Hi Antonios, when I say I support smacking I'm only talking about very mild smacking, just something mild that produces a quick sting and nothing more. Occasionally that can be necessary with difficult children, and is completely harmless both emotionally and physically. The important thing is to minimise smacking as much as possible, and different parents have different abilities in this regard. Nothing beats parents showing gentle, consistent love and setting good examples for their children. Young children especially copy their parents, and if the parents are stable, kind and loving then their kids have a much better chance. Smacking should be a last resort, but of course sometimes that is MUCH easier said than done.