Comments on Dave's Blog: Smacking Referendum

The problem I have with the legislation is that it...

2009-08-21T21:34:50.785+12:00

The problem I have with the legislation is that it makes good parents criminal. I applaud a parent who can retain proper control, however they achieve it and congratulate Dave for finding a way which works. I would never dream of insisting that he is a bad parent, or worse, a criminal because he didn't smack his children but it is this very criminalising of those who do which I protest.
Being "less bad" does not make you good. If you decide there is a scale, where at one end there is a fatal beating and at the other end a light smack, it is easy to argue that all use of force on a child is criminal. That is essentially what the repeal of section 59 does. It says anyone smacking their child for correction is a criminal, just not a bad enough one to be worth prosecuting. I reject that argument (as do the vast majority of New Zealanders apparently) and have been pleased to have the chance to vote so in the referendum.

the thing everyone seems to overlook is that Sue B...

2009-08-21T07:55:56.572+12:00

the thing everyone seems to overlook is that Sue Bradford's amendment only means that IF you get to COURT for hitting your child, you can't use discipline as a defence. It DOESN"T suggest there will be a new police force peering into windows and arresting parents who lightly slap.
However, theft is illegal, and no-one argues that law. The fact that theft is illegal doesn't mean you would be jailed, or even charged for stealing 1 cent off someone. Same with criminalising smacking. It doesn't mean every tiny infringement is a police matter. But honestly, folks - does it have to be as bad as Nia Glassie et al before its considered a problem? Surely, as a principle, physically assaulting someone else should be considered wrong - no matter who it is.
And as dave says - smacking doesn't work as discipline.

The argument that only a minority "take the w...

2009-08-12T12:42:06.485+12:00

The argument that only a minority "take the whole smacking thing too far" and therefore this law shouldn't exist, doesn't work. The vast majority of the criminal law is there for the small percentage of people who engage in acceptable behaviour. We don't say that because only a minority of the population murder people that there shouldn't be a law against it.

they say you should never smack a child in anger! ...

2009-08-06T12:22:22.097+12:00

they say you should never smack a child in anger! but its that very emotion of anger & frustration that makes people lash out. The best thing out of this whole issue is that it has made me 'revise' my methods of discipline & I now own the anger & frustration. Democracy, societal expectations & boundaries here in ol' NZ rock. The generations that follow will appreciate this... so thanks all :p

My parents used to smack me when I was a child. Bu...

2009-08-01T19:16:56.126+12:00

My parents used to smack me when I was a child. But I certainly don't consider them as criminal offenders nor bad people and I sure haven't turned out to be a violent person who can't think logically. My boy friend whom I've been going out with for over 3 years was smacked as a child and he isn't a violent person who tries to pick fights with everyone. When I got smacked I was smacked for a reason. Just because some minority take the whole smacking too far and become violent with their child, doesn't mean the majority who lightly smack as a discipline are criminals. Even in your articles you mention that non-smacking works for "many families" not all the families.
I don't like the fact that the law actually criminalizes parents who love their child.

"If a light smack is criminal offence, a kiss on a child should be sexual harassment"

Great post, from one Dave to another ... spot on. ...

2009-07-26T16:19:41.346+12:00

Great post, from one Dave to another ... spot on. My kids are 17, 13, and 5 with similar results - they're all independent thinking, caring boys who know that force isn't the way to get what you want.