A new proposal aimed at ending physical punishment for children could land parents in jail for up to 5 years if convicted of spanking their kids.
Spanking could land parents in jail for 5 years
Psychologists have been on a quest for years to convince parents to switch from physical punishment to other methods, such as a timeout.
In 2020, Scotland effectively banned physical punishment by nullifying an argument that parents could use in defense of spanking their children.
Last month, Wales enacted a ban on the physical punishment of children.
The proposal of a new law in the UK seeks to do the same but adds a hefty criminal punishment for parents who spank their kids – up to five years in jail if convicted, LADBible reports.
Children’s Commissioner for England Dame Rachel de Souza announced she would be “supportive” of the law against hitting youngsters, the Sun reported.
“I absolutely abhor, and I’m against violence of any kind against children,” de Souza said. “Because children are more vulnerable than adults, I think we do need to ensure that their rights are supported.”
England already has a law that makes it unlawful for a parent or carer to smack their child. However, parents can use a “reasonable punishment” defense.
However, the new proposal would remove that defense, which could mean up to 5 years in jail for parents convicted of hitting a child.
Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi opposes the move, stating discipline should be “left to parents.”
Efforts are underway to enact similar laws in the United States.
US efforts to end corporal punishment
In the United States, numerous organizations are backing the initiative to end all corporal punishment, not only in private homes, but also in schools and other public situations. These groups include US Alliance to End the Hitting of Children, End Violence against Children, End Corporal Punishment, Stop spanking, and many more.
Psychologists say spanking doesn’t work
Psychologists argue that spanking doesn’t work and makes children more aggressive in the long run. They say studies show children spanked at age three were 50% more aggressive at age 5. In addition, spanking leads to an increase in delinquent behaviors, worsens mental health, and leads to an increase in aggression and criminal behavior in the adult years.
The psychology of spanking
While scientists tell us that our modern form of human ancestors only evolved around 200,000 years ago, what we define as civilization only came into being roughly 6,000 years ago.
For 6,000 years until now, spanking children has been the go-to form of discipline for all of humanity. It’s even in the Bible.
“Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.”
– Proverbs 13:24
The premise is that spanking is a form of “tough love,” a form of discipline necessary for proper development.
Pain vs. Pleasure: The power of leverage
Tony Robbins, one of the world’s foremost motivational speakers and life coaches, has repeatedly said human beings are driven by two factors: The need to avoid pain and the desire to gain pleasure.
“Every single person on this earth is driven by two forces,” Robbins says. “Number one, their need to avoid pain. And number two, their desire to gain pleasure.”
In his book, Awaken the Giant Within, initially published in 1991, Tony Robbins wrote: “People will do more to avoid pain than they will do to gain pleasure.”
This does not imply that Tony Robbins supports spanking children or has ever advocated for it. Robbins’ quotes are only used to demonstrate the psychology behind spanking. Robbins explains this type of leverage simply and clearly, and how the fear of pain is the strongest motivational factor. This has been the psychological basis behind spanking children throughout human history.
