What will hurt them more,a momentary smack that effectively connects a child with the responsibility at hand,or years of wishy washy no borders leftism,that has produced the confused ill displined and often unloved dysfunctional generation we see today.

Prior 1980 most of us experienced some form of corporal punishment.The greatest child abuse is happening right now,that is sanctioned by the state.It is the selling of children their rights in the name of protecting them.They can leave home at will with the financial backing of the state,with no emotional responsibility to the family from which they left,and no pressure to conform to social norms or adult role models to set them on the right track.

Our public schools lost the art of discipline years ago.Police have no power over youth who flout the law,and judges just seem to delight in presiding over the ill disciplined system they have created.

We as a society,have just lost it.

70% of Australians believe that a smack is acceptable. These people are only in favour of mild corporal punishment yet idiots like Joe Tucci presume to go against the vast majority by trying to demonise these same people and demanding that laws be changed in favour of the minority. Where does he and his (sheep) followers come from? Politically Correct Ville.

Personally I dont really smack my 3 1/2 years old. Not that I see there is anything wrong with the occasional smack on the legs. I just never really have to smack her. I have friends that are very freehanded a little over the top but then that is their choice. I do get a little peed off when you cant even smack your child in public for fear of someone giving you the evil eye. I try to take things away from her or time out. But if that doesnt work then a tap on the legs or hand never hurt anyone.

I also agree with the comment that smacking only works up to a certain age. I couldnt begin to imagine the histerics my 15, 18 and 19 years old would go into if I tried that type of punishment.

yep.. pretty much 'amen' to all those comments.

I do feel that excessive physical handling should be defined, such as shaking and hitting the head etc.. I don't agree at all with it.

My approach was always bum and below. But bum was the 'punishment zone' and they knew it. I also used a wooden spoon, which we called 'The Smacker' and it kind of separated the issue of punishment a bit from us. They knew that if they did something sufficiently 'evil' that "The Smacker" would pay them rear ends a visit.

When children KNOW that the cost of bad behavior is thus and so, it will often be sufficient deterrant. Also, the threat of it is effective. Placing a kid in "solitary" does work for some, or withdrawing some favorite object, but for OTHERS.. which I've seen, its meaningless.

Unfortunately, just like a horses independant spirit needs to be reigned in, some children are just like that. Mine weren't, but I've seen some rippers.. No amount of solitary or silent treatment or ostracization or frowning or speaking will do squat..he is out to stage a COUP and that's that !

The issue is often 'power' as in 'who is running this show' ? and many children WILL challenge that structure. James Dobson gives some classic illustrations of how one lost 'coup' attempt resulted in hyper destructive behavior in teen years.

The Sky News survey ended up with 89% approve of smacking, 11% did not.
The childrens lobby is 'which' lobby ? Surely not representative of the community.
Their philosophical underpinning is quite spurious.
If they don't believe in God, (who said "spare the rod,spoil the child") then we are just 'animals' like glorified Chimps, and THEY constantly discipline with 'violence' :)

Seeker I agree...but by the same token not really...that sounds contradictory.I lived in a home where we were frightened of our dad..
A lot of domestic violence as well just in a general sense mainly toward my mother..

I dont think it is healthy to grow up in an enviroment of fear...it certainly caused many unhappy times in my childhood..we only get one shot at it.

Having said that no we did not disrespect our parents and we knew we were loved..

Not all kids respond to democratic proccess and are born to push boundaries...some kids are happy to maintain the status quo ..so parents should treat children as individuals...but beware that what we dish out does not come back at us when we are vulnerable, old and helpless to defend OURSELVES.