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Violence Breeds Violence

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Violence Breeds Violence

Smacking children makes them more disciplined, ‘more successful’ and more resilient. On the other hand, it makes them more aggressive, more likely to be abusive as adults and less able to socialise and interact with others.

“Did you know that the UN Secretary-General's Study on Violence Against Children has recommended full prohibition of all corporal punishment of children, in all settings, in all nations?” [1]. Historically, smacking children was considered to be perfectly normal and a parental right. However, this is no longer the case in all countries around the world. In 1979, Sweden became the first country to outlaw all forms of corporal punishment and in turn, start a world-wide trend. In the years since, 32 other nations have joined the Swedes in the prohibition of corporal punishment at both school and home. Despite this, several first world countries that are generally regarded as progressive, such as the United States, Australia and Great Britain, have yet to outlaw corporal punishment.

It may be argued that smacking children is proven to make them more disciplined. Pro-smacking parents argue that they only smack their children gently, but not so hard that it causes ‘visible bruising, grazes, scratches, swellings and cuts’[2]. Likewise, they only discipline their children with smacking if the child is doing something that could cause self harm and/or harm to others. In these instances, by smacking a child, parents claim that the child realises and understands what they are doing wrong and will learn to not do it again. Moreover, other parents say that they only smack their children if a set rule has been broken, for example, swearing.

Additionally, studies conducted by Marjorie Gunnoe, a Psychologist at Calvin College in Michigan, US, have revealed that children who are smacked between the ages of two and six are more likely to perform better at school as teenagers and also have the desire to go to University. Furthermore, they are more likely to do voluntary work than children who were not smacked at all. Daniel Martin of Daily Mail Online said that “Young Children Who Are Smacked go on to be more successful”[3]. Thus, it would appear that a child who is smacked before the age of six, is far more likely to succeed at school in later life.

[1]. Mceachern, Sharon (2009). “Spanking Is Illegal : Sweden Celebrates 30-Year National Ban”. Ethic Soup, October 8. Accessed at: http://www.ethicsoup.com/2009/10/spanking-is-illegal-sweden-celebrates-30year-national-ban-.html (Accessed June 28, 2012).
[2]. King, Victoria (2012). “Parents Should Be Free To Smack – David Lammy”. BBC News Online, January 24. Accessed at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-16705247 (Accessed June 28, 2012).

[3]. Martin, Daniel (2010). “Young Children Who Are Smacked Go On To Be More Successful”. Daily Mail Online, January 4. Accessed at: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1240279/Children-smacked-young-likely-successful-study-finds.html (Accessed June 28, 2012).

Finally, advocates of corporal punishment consider that children who are disciplined by smacking become significantly more resilient and are therefore more likely to succeed in later life because they are more willing to take risks in a variety of situations such as trying out new experiences such as traveling, studying abroad and playing sports.

On the other hand, critics of corporal punishment assert that smacking makes children more aggressive. They argue that if their role models are smackers, children will think that it is the right and normal thing to do as well. Smacking parents breed smacking children and thus, violence really does breed violence. Similarly, it is often argued that smacking is a precursor to the abuse of a child and research has shown beyond all doubt that abused children often become abusive adults. Once again, this confirms that violence breeds violence.

Moreover, child behavioral experts have assessed that children who are regularly smacked at home are far more likely to have poorer social skills due to a lower self esteem, a lack of self confidence and a tendency to be shy. Additionally, they are unlikely to trust adults and will most likely be wary of forming close relationships in the future. Life skills such as the ones named prior are pivotal in order to be successful in any field of work, whether it be educating, flying or fighting. If an older child at school expresses any of these traits they are a target for bullies because they are considered as an out cast and would most likely not know how to stick up for themselves or for what is right.

Despite the current laws and trends throughout the world against smacking children, much headway needs to be made to decrease the number of abusive children and adults. As stated previously, people who are smacked as children are more likely to be violent and abusive adults. Violence in society is becoming increasingly wide spread and parents who still believe in corporal punishment and smack their children contribute greatly to this. Despite the increasing number of countries currently outlawing corporal punishment, it is thus necessary that it is banned world wide to bring an end to smacking children.

Bibliography

Doherty, Elissa (2012). “Debate Rages After Call For Smacking Children To Be Made Illegal”. Herald Sun Online, February 3. Accessed at: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/time-to-ban-smacking/story-fn7x8me2-1226261278090 (Accessed June 28, 2012).

King, Victoria (2012). “Parents Should Be Free To Smack – David Lammy”. BBC News Online, January 24. Accessed at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-16705247 (Accessed June 28, 2012).

Martin, Daniel (2010). “Young Children Who Are Smacked Go On To Be More Successful”. Daily Mail Online, January 4. Accessed at: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1240279/Children-smacked-young-likely-successful-study-finds.html (Accessed June 28, 2012).

Mceachern, Sharon (2009). “Spanking Is Illegal : Sweden Celebrates 30-Year National Ban”. Ethic Soup, October 8. Accessed at: http://www.ethicsoup.com/2009/10/spanking-is-illegal-sweden-celebrates-30year-national-ban-.html (Accessed June 28, 2012).

Unknown Author (2000). “The Smacking Myths”. Angry Harry, March 1. Accessed at: http://www.angryharry.com/esTheSmackingMyths.htm (Accessed June 28, 2012).

Unknown Author (2012). “Push To Make Smacking Of Children Illegal”. The Telegraph Online, February 3. Accessed at: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/push-to-make-smacking-of-children-illegal/story-e6freuy9-1226261323795 (Accessed June 28, 2012).

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