Study examines effect of smacking children

A new study, which its authors say sends a strong anti-smacking message, does not strengthen the case for repealing section 59 of the Crimes Act, a conservative lobby group says.

Green MP Sue Bradford's member's bill to repeal section 59 - effectively removing the legal defence of "reasonable force" for parents punishing their children - will be considered by a select committee when Parliament sits again.

It has received wide public support from children's groups, but opponents say it will criminalise smacking.

Save the Children released a study conducted by child advocate Terry Dobbs that it said showed an alarming rate of physical punishment in New Zealand families.
More than nine out of 10 of the 80 children - aged between 5 and 14 years - interviewed for the study said they had been smacked or believed children were smacked as punishment.

Children reported parents were often angry or stressed when they smacked and would later express regret or offer treats to compensate. They said smacking made them feel angry, upset and fearful and was not an effective form of discipline.

Ms Bradford said yesterday that the research strengthened the case for repeal of section 59.

But Maxim Institute spokesman Michael Reid said it merely showed parents needed more education so they did not smack children in anger or use implements against children.

"Smacking in the context of responsible parenting is altogether different from the use of an implement, which is abuse," he said. "We know that some parents are ill equipped to handle their emotions around children ... that doesn't mean you need to change the law."

He believed the present law, which left it up to the courts to decide if parents had used reasonable force, was adequate.

Dr Reid said the Save the Children study was highly partial as both Save the Children and the study's author were strong anti-smacking advocates.

He expected there would be similar studies in coming weeks as lobbying around Ms Bradford's bill was stepped up.

The Save the Children study chose children from 10 different schools, ranging from decile one to 10, across five geographical locations in New Zealand.

To fit the criteria for the study, the children had to have no known or alleged history of abuse or neglect and sufficient verbal skills to participate in focus group discussions.

They were questioned using a storybook methodology about their experiences and understanding of family discipline and their views of the effects of various disciplinary techniques.

- NZPA