I was sent the following link from our friends at Talk to Your Baby, the fantastic campaign from the National Literacy Trust. They didn't say which way they wanted me to vote but my own view, which I'm sure they share, is that there are far better ways to discipline and educate a child than to humiliate and hurt them through smacking. Talking to them might be a start. It's not easy being a parent and I can't claim to be completely blameless in this regard but I think we need a clear signal that corporal punishment of our children is unnecessary. It won't stop all instances of smacking - think of speed limits - but it might just make people think twice. Can you imagine children voting against a ban on smacking? Until young people get the vote, this is one area where we need to step in and look after their interests.
Guardian poll...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/poll/2008/jun/09/youngpeople.youthjustice (opens a new window)
Anne Bailey
