A debate is continuing in the United Kingdom over whether smacking children as a form of punishment should be banned. The question has drawn renewed attention amid research into child development and differences in the law across the country.
Research from University College London suggests that smacking children as a form of punishment leads to risky behaviours, such as bullying and physical aggression in later years, as well as lower school grades.
According to the researchers, children who were physically punished in early childhood actually did worse in their GCSEs. They looked at the probability of not achieving five GCSEs including English and Maths, and found that this probability was higher for those who had been physically punished.
Those who back a change argue that children need warmth, play and responsive relationships in order to thrive, and not violence. Some say they could not believe that a ban was not already in place, and feel that now is the time for one.
Across the UK the rules are different. In England and Northern Ireland, the legal defence of reasonable punishment remains. While many believe now is the time for a smacking ban, critics say existing laws already protect children from abuse and that any change could criminalise parents.
Others argue that boundaries are necessary for children to understand the rules of society and to learn how to behave, and that those boundaries have to be backed up. The Department for Education in England says it has no plans to change the law, but that it is keeping a close eye on developments elsewhere. For now, the debate continues.