Consultation on the Children (Abolition of Defence of Reasonable Punishment) (Wales) Bill
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Tystiolaeth i’r Pwyllgor Plant, Pobl Ifanc ac Addysg ar gyfer craffu Cyfnod 1 Bil Plant (Diddymu Amddiffyniad Cosb Resymol) (Cymru) |
Evidence submitted to the Children, Young People and Education Committee for Stage 1 scrutiny of the Children (Abolition of Defence of Reasonable Punishment) (Wales) Bill |
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CADRP-583 |
CADRP-583 |
About you
Individual
— No
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
As a parent myself, I can say that I have responsibility to raise my children in a loving, caring and thoughtful manner which is aimed to bring a child to adulthood as a conscientious, well-rounded and compassionate person who is able to integrate in, and contribute to, society. Parents ought to do so with instruction, example and discipline as necessary.
Lack of discipline is patently damaging to a child and therefore society as a whole and the effects of this are seen time and again. Discipline comes in a huge number of ways and is relative to the child, to their age and to the behaviour being corrected.
It is totally clear and absolutely undeniable that all abuse of children is heart-breaking, disgusting and evil. There is no excuse for such behaviour!
I do not, however, agree with the legislation proposed. I do not see parental discipline, including the use of controlled, considered and careful physical discipline, as wrong or evil. In fact, I would suggest it is needed in some circumstances. The overwhelming majority of parents would only employ physical discipline when absolutely necessary and rightly so, as did parents throughout generations past.
Furthermore, to legislate in this manner would also initiate a troubling precedent with regards the responsibility of a parent to raise their child. It is the parent and not the state who has that task. I would suggest that education of parents, not legislation, is a far more effective, lasting and worthwhile method of protecting children.
The issues at play when a child is abused are far more deep-seated and complex than simply a misunderstanding of parental discipline. I think adults who would abuse a child are not misinterpreting how best to correct a child who has been disobedient! These situations often stem from issues in society, in families throughout many generations and in the mental health of the individual involved - these are areas which require serious thought and attention.
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
No, I believe the legislation that exists is sufficient to protect children and to punish those who abuse children. Further protection of children must be sought by improving the standard of parenting through education and supporting family life in a more real sense. In my view, legislating against a parent disciplining their child with controlled physical correction would not achieve the outcome desired. In fact it would be aimed at entirely the wrong root cause.
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
How would the bill be enforced? How would the inevitable influx of claims, reports, accusations, investigations etc to social services be handled - the cases where actual abuse has occurred could conceivably be even more difficult to isolate due to the increased workload of those dealing with claims of abuse where there has been none.
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
No
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
I think we are already witnessing a society bereft of parental responsibility and consequently children growing up who do not know how to behave. To further limit the ability of a parent to train their child would invariably have unintended consequences.
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
No
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
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