Daily Mail

Should parents smack naughty children?

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THE Rev Mark Edwards should be ashamed of himself for his mealymouth­ed attempt to justify the use of corporal punishment on children (Letters). If he wouldn’t smack an unruly adult for fear of the response, he is a hypocrite for using it against a child too weak to defend itself. Violence breeds violence and has no place in the disciplini­ng of children. R. TAGART, Haywards Heath, W. Sussex. I AGREE with the Rev Mark Edwards and his wife Lesley that sometimes you have to smack your children. When a child misbehaves, a sharp slap on the hand or legs and a telling-off usually works, then it’s over and done with and forgotten. Today’s idea of punishment is to withhold treats and outings, which just prolongs the upset for the child and the parent, causing an unpleasant atmosphere. It takes a lot of time, effort and commitment to bring up well-behaved children, and, of course, lots of fun and love.

Name and address supplied. SORRY, Rev Mark Edwards. Smacking might keep children in order, but it’s not right. You can teach children right from wrong with verbal discipline, love and kindness, not smacking, shouting and bullying. CAROL BERG, London N2.

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