Advocates of smacking often invoke tradition: "My father smacked me and it never did me any harm.'' Yes, without smacking, they would have become sociopaths, or perhaps they would have become better people. In the past, children played with lead toys, and worked in coalmines or as chimney sweeps. In my own lifetime, children rode bicycles without helmets and travelled in cars without seat belts. Sometimes traditional behaviours have to change.
Some say they smack because it is impossible to reason with a toddler or small child. If we follow this line of argument, carers should be permitted to smack adults with intellectual disabilities or dementia. Surely the fact that a child lacks reasoning skills ought to entitle them to more, not less protection.
Some say they smack because it is impossible to reason with a toddler or small child. If we follow this line of argument, carers should be permitted to smack adults with intellectual disabilities or dementia. Surely the fact that a child lacks reasoning skills ought to entitle them to more, not less protection.