Smacking still common

Nearly half of families still smack their children, despite very few believing it is effective as a form of discipline, a Families Commission study suggests.

Time out was the most common form of discipline, used by 82 per cent of respondents, but only 43 per cent believed it was effective.

Smacking and shouting were used by 41 per cent, although only 9 per cent believed smacking was effective.