Smacking ineffective and outdated, says minister

PHYSICAL punishment of children is ineffective and outdated and goes against the Welsh Government’s commitment to giving all children the best possible start in life, Children’s Minister Huw Irranca-Davies will say today.

Speaking at a conference in Cardiff, the minister will say that the way parents support their children in formative years is more important than other factors such as social class or family structure.

He will reiterate the Welsh Government’s view that the physical punishment of a child is no longer acceptable in Wales.

Ministers are currently consulting on plans to introduce legislation which would remove the legal defence of reasonable punishment. They say changing the law will make it clear that physical punishment of a child is no longer acceptable in Wales.

Speaking at the “Promoting positive parenting to help make the world a more peaceful place” conference in Cardiff, Mr Irranca-Davies will say: “There is nothing more important than the safety and wellbeing of children. While the primary responsibility for raising children lies with parents, the Welsh Government has a very specific role in creating the kind of society in which children grow up in a safe and nurturing environment.

“We now know that physical punishment can have negative long-term impacts on a child’s life chances and we also know it is an ineffective punishment.

“Legislation was introduced years ago to stop the physical punishment of our children in schools and childcare settings – now is the time to ensure it is no longer acceptable anywhere.

“Physically punishing a child is outdated, and is no longer acceptable in a modern, progressive Wales.”

Action will be taken to support parents to choose positive methods of discipline, he will add. Consultation on the proposal runs until April 2. The consultation can be found here: https://beta.gov.wales/legislativeproposal-remove-defencereasonable-punishment