Nursery World - Smacking is out for most parents

Most parents in Northern Ireland favour other forms of disciplining their children rather than smacking them, according to a survey carried out for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children . The survey found that almost seven in ten adults (69 per cent) considered forms of discipline other than smacking more effective, while 80 per cent of respondents said they saw negotiation, withdrawal of treats and grounding as acceptable forms of punishment. However, just under half (48 per cent) of adults said they felt smacking was acceptable.

The survey found that almost seven in ten adults (69 per cent) considered forms of discipline other than smacking more effective, while 80 per cent of respondents said they saw negotiation, withdrawal of treats and grounding as acceptable forms of punishment. However, just under half (48 per cent) of adults said they felt smacking was acceptable.

Forty-eight per cent of respondents also said they would not support making physical punishment of children illegal, while just under one in three (32 per cent) said they would support such a move and 20 per cent were undecided.

The results were released last week following the Northern Ireland Executive's announcement that it intends to hold a wide public consultation exercise on the issue of smacking later this year.

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