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Smacking ban

“The law has been passed and is being introduced. It is time for those who want the beating of young children to continue to get over their disappointment and move on.”

Andrew Mcmillan, heraldscotland.com

“Nah, it’s a good way to discipline kids and no-one is gonna stop smacking just because a bunch of MSPS have nothing better to do than pass pointless laws.”

Pete Bell, heraldscotland.com

“Other than in self-defence or defence of others humans should not hit one another. Parents who can’t cope without violence should not be parents.” Andrew Macaulay, heraldscotland.com

“Children’s Minister Maree Todd said: ‘The act gives children, without exception, the same protection from assault as adults.’ Since children hitting (and kicking and biting) adults seems to be permissible, it doesn’t. Children can do what they like these days.

“Did I not see an article which said that teachers have been paid £105,000 in compensation this year after being physically attacked by pupils? I would never have dared even to think of doing that – and I expect most people over about 40 would say the same.

“And children seem to be free to assault each other (on top of cyberbullying) not too good for the small and weak. Only when a child commits suicide is any notice taken.

“Yet a parent smacking a child is to be a criminal offence.”

Dallas Carter, heraldscotland.com