Outright ban on smacking children being considered [IrishTimes]
- Published: 29 June 2010
AN OUTRIGHT ban on the smacking of children by their parents is being considered.
The Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs said the prohibition is being kept “under review” and attempts by other countries to legislate for an outright ban are being examined.
Corporal punishment of children is prohibited in all settings including the home in 18 of the 47 member states of the Council of Europe, but is not banned in Ireland and there is common law which recognises a parent’s right to “reasonable chastisement”.
Outlawing physical punishment is seen as problematic given the constitutional guarantees regarding the family.
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
