Spanking issue not black and white
Re Spanking’s days are done, Editorial Dec. 23 In a discussion as significant culturally as the spanking law, one would hope that a longer view of the impact such a decision would have on the people of our nation would be taken. Increasing violence, especially against the most vulnerable, is a valid and just concern. But outlawing spanking might just be barking up the wrong tree.
Anti-spanking advocates should consider the case of Sweden, which outlawed spanking in 1979. The hope was that a decline in violence would follow, but the Swedish National Council on Crime Prevention and the Swedish Crime Survey report that, as of 2012, increases in sexual assault have been fivefold, assault and aggravated assault have tripled and trends in shoplifting, vandalism and drunkenness have followed suit. Equally shocking is the increase in assaults by youth on children by more than 480 per cent, making Sweden “more criminal” per capita than the U.S., which seems counterintuitive.
Perhaps we underestimate the good impact parents are free to have when left the right to exercise authoritative restraint over their children, which is not the same thing as abuse. In a decision so connected to the fabric of the nation, could we call for broader dialogue? Jason Shinduke, Camden East, Ont. While I agree that spanking should be banned, we need to understand that “reasonable force” does not always mean “corporal punishment.” When a parent picks up a child to carry her to her timeout spot, is it reasonable force or assault? If a teacher intervenes to physically separate two fighting children is it assault or reasonable force?
If you grab a child who is about to run into traffic? How about grabbing her hand to stop her hitting you?
Sometimes for reasons of safety or discipline adults have to use reasonable force short of corporal punishment. The government should be sure to remember this when revising the statute. Robert Morrison, Bowmanville,Ont. There will always be opposition to advances in social policy, but once spanking is banned, Canada can join the 48 nations of the world that already outlaw corporal punishment of children (the most recent being Peru). There can be an opportunity for education about positive methods so parents can understand that discipline does not include physical punishment and children are worthy of protection from harm. Ruth Miller, Toronto People who work in addictions, prisons and community service have long noted that spanking often underlies violence, addiction and traumatic brain injury. Corporal punishment by a parent is the same dynamic as a 9-foot tall, 500pound person hitting a normal-sized man. It would be understood as assault.
As a society we need to learn new methods of parenting and setting healthy boundaries. I hope the provinces will work with the federal government and specialists to educate people in better positive parenting methods. The result will be happier and healthier, more socially integrated people. The Rev’d. David Price, All Saints Anglican Church, Agassiz, B.C. The last line in your editorial said it all: “The fact is that public attitudes in Canada are shifting against physically punishing children, and that’s a trend to be encouraged. Repealing Section 43 will help ensure that spanking’s days are done.” People still tell me that they were spanked as a child and they turned out OK, so what’s the problem? My answer is, take a look at the world and people’s attitude toward violence as an answer. If the parents we love can hit us with impunity, how do we feel about torturing or killing someone we consider an enemy?
This is a leap many people take because as children we were taught violence is OK as an answer to our problems. Martin Campbell, Toronto Thank goodness there’s a commitment to outlaw spanking. It’s shameful it took this long. No one else in Canada could legally be hit but somehow it was all right to strike a child. But this new policy will do more than protect kids. To evolve as a society we need to move beyond violence. Ending corporal punishment will show we are growing morally. Gideon Forman, Toronto Spanking one’s kids is not only obviously unjust, it’s an admission by the parent that he or she is incompetent — too clueless to manage the child’s behaviour without the use of brute force.
Kudos to Justin Trudeau and his government for having the guts to finally rid the country of this odious law. Let’s hope they have the resolve to follow through. Section 43 is an abomination and it’s time to consign it to history. Richard van Abbe, Toronto Now that it appears that any form of discipline that involves spanking or otherwise touching your child is about to be made illegal, one wonders what the new acceptable punishment for misbehaviour will be. Possibly the it will mirror how adults are disciplined: the child will be locked in a closet for a month or two, with food being passed through a slot under the door. This will most likely prove quite successful, and not involve touching, except when placing the “prisoner” in confinement. Edward A. Collis, Burlington While we are at it, perhaps we should repeal the law that says it is OK to shoot citizens eight times if they don’t obey orders. Also, let’s outlaw dropping bombs on countries that do not follow our society’s rules. Then we can sit around the campfire and sing Kumbaya. Fred Rankel, Aurora