But sure as eggs one will be….and then the floodgates will open….sorry but this is bad,subjective law…..and needs removing.

James,

Do you know why no one has been arrested because of this law change? Because it did not change who gets arrested.

The.

End.

Does anyone else see the problem in that statement?

I dunno, maybe a judgment on someone elses parenting followed by a said distaste for peoples judgment in return?

No but plenty who have been persecuted.
Plenty who are in fear of the social agencies sticking their nose in.
Plenty who hate the government for interfering in raising kids when “it goes against human nature – Herr Klark (1996)”.

So no maybe no prosecuted criminals, but plenty of people who have been made to feel inadequate because they can’t bring up their children like those holyer than thou people and plenty of kids who now have yet another “right” to avoid responsibility with.

Leaving in fear of the establishment, is just one step removed from a police state.

But sure as eggs one will be….and then the floodgates will open….sorry but this is bad,subjective law…..and needs removing.

Gumby’s behaviour as an adult indicates he should have been soundly thrashed far more often as a child.

feck me, true colours now eh? How about this:

Should a sound thrashing as part of good parental correction be a criminal offence in New Zealand?

Isn’t New Zealand the only country in the world that actually criminally prosecute honest parents?

Is it? Has anyone come up with an example of an honest parent who has been criminally prsecuted since the section 59 defense was removed?

Reasons against the law -
1. When I hear of those who are beating their children I am outraged not just by the violence but by how the abusers’ actions are impacting on the rest of us. Why should responsible parents have this law foisted upon them because of these so-called parents who are for the most part utterly irresponsible.

An alliance of groups urging a “no” vote includes lobby group Family First, the Sensible Sentencing Trust and the Federation of Islamic Associations.

Being allowed to thrash their kids is the first step, next it will be “honour killings” where it is more honourable to murder a daughter than anything else an ignorant musselman can do.

On that basis alone the law must be repeled….it fails the most basic test of law making in a supposed free and civilized society.

I don’t think there are that many mean parents in NZ, and the rabid right are too selfish to have kids anyway. So it should be a low turnout from those loonies. Perhaps you better threaten / smack these other parents to make them go out and vote?

I just would like to reply to a couple of the points raised

1. I agree with Chester Burrows amendment to S59 anything more than that is assault
2. NZ is made of predominately Anglo/Saxon, Polynesian (Maori), Chinese, Indian ethnic groups – none of the countries with predominately these ethnic persuasions ban smacking. Why are we? Just because the UN and a bunch of European Countries want to. There is NO evidence that a light smack is bad for a child.
3. This issue is not discussed but I have friends who do not smack and have been so holier than thou over this issue – but their children kick, bite, punch and scream to get what they want.
4. I am a better parent than Sue Bradford will ever be and I cannot stand the fact she could judge me on my parenting ability.
5. And most importantly I love my children and the thought of them being taken away (even if it is irrational) is too much to comprehend – but I believe that I must do what is best for my children to become good adults and I believe an occasional smack helps some children as it stops situations escalating. That is why I believe the political party who can allay this fear will be very successful.
6. That is why Chester Burrows amendment is so good – it defines what is a smack.
7. If you are a parent that does not smack then I congratulate you but just because it works for you doesn’t mean it works for everyone – as all children are different and all children respond to different forms of discipline.
8. Even if John Key disagrees with the referendum – that is democracy and I believe that he has been dismissive of this referendum and needs to be more respectful to those that hold a different view.

‘baiter, but that comment says it all. The spankers keep rabbiting on about how a “light smack” should be lawful, but here you are advocating frequent “sound thrashings”. Which is where you end up if you advocate using force for correctional purposes and the “light smack” doesn’t correct.

Why stop when I became an adult. Surely smacking would do me good even now. It’s always such a positive experience at any age lol. Oh that’s right, when someone can hit back you are not so brave.

“Keep posting Gumby, you’re doing a super good job of representing the anti smackers”

I’m only anti-smacking against children. I don’t see any honour in unnecessarily hitting someone smaller than you. I’m all for smacking others eg ignorant bullies. Pick on someone your own size you.

PS : Shunda, can I have some poppadoms with my curry?

Jimmy Mason was yelling at his children saying f*n listen f*n listen! He was making such a scene it drew attention from every one around. No one learns in that situation much less a three year old and a two year old. Ive taught adults in similar situations that those kids were in and believe me even when you yell abuse at adults in a confusing situation they can’t think and either panic or get angry. Kids who are often yelled at learn to ignore it. They tune out the abuse.

We don’t smack for dangerous acts, I was talking with her on the phone and heard her clearly tell her her 3 yeard old. “Get down from the window sill, its dangerous, you’ll falll and hurt yourself” This what we’ve been working on since they were babies. If you listen to parents (and teachers) instruct their kids you’ll be surprised how often they don’t give clear instructions that the child can understand – now whether he obeys her after that depends on his mood, but she is strict and he knows she WILL follow up on her words.