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-588 |
CADRP-588 |
About you
Individual
— No
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
The way the bill is worded makes it appear as though something good is being proposed but what is being proposed in this bill in principle will actually undermine parents' ability to parent and will adversely affect society at large.
In principle, children are not adults, so they do not have an overview of how the world works and are often oblivious to dangers around them. Children may take actions that are not safe or in their best interest - they have to learn that there are consequences to their actions ie they have to be taught this by their parents. Parents have the interests of their children at heart and ought to be able to impose appropriate reasonable punishments from a range of options to help keep their child safe or on the side of right so they grow up to be upstanding members of the community - the proposed bill looks to limit this ability in principle.
In principle reasonable punishment such as corporal punishment is NOT the same as abuse which is of course unreasonable and therefore against the law - its already catered for!
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
No - such legislation is taking away one of the options parents can draw upon to help facilitate development of their child that is harmonious to family life and to wider society. It is imposing parenting by the state and will undermine future society since it sows the seeds of discord (sets the state against parents instead of supporting parents) and undermines that safe haven for the child, the family.
Also, we already have enough legislation that empowers other authorities eg police, social workers and the like, that can intervene on behalf of vulnerable children so i do not think that more legislation is necessary.
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
Yes - it is a threat to faith communities and their ability to live by the command of holy scriptures which endorses reasonable punishment. Christianity in particular has been the bedrock of society for over a thousand years and its principles have been used to help bring about laws that have shaped our country for good including those that give support to parents to use reasonable punishment. Removing this principle, ie taking away support for parents to use reasonable punishment, especially Christian parents - but not just those, others as well eg muslims, will undoubtedly lead to persecution and will begin to unsettle society at large.
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
No - it determines to override traditional Christian values - parents who use of reasonable punishment to help bring up their children to be well rounded, law-abiding citizens by following Christian practice will be persecuted.
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
Yes - the state is in fact dictating to parents how to parent, which can only undermine families and the fabric of our society.
A loosening of morals - there is a danger that wrong doing will not be taken seriously by children since parents would not be able to give reasonable punishment such as corporal punishment
An increase in poor mental health and wellbeing - if reasonable punishment such as corporal punishment is removed then alternatives will be looked for which could be far more harmful and lasting to all.
Loving parents will be labelled child abusers in the eyes of the state.
Persecution of faith communities will actually be inevitable - a vast number of citizens will be placed under duress as they attempt to cope with the conflict between faith and state.
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
Yes - mainly linked to the unintended consequences listed in 3.1.
More tax payer money will have to be spent on upholding and enforcing this bill. For example, take policing - there is bound to be an increase in reporting of families where it is suspected that that they are not following the law ie using what was once deemed reasonable punishment (such as corporal punishment) and the police will have to respond - so more police will be required. More cases will have to then be tested in the courts - costly to the state and individuals.
A register will need to be maintained of parents using what was once deemed reasonable punishment (such as corporal punishment) - this is itself costly, but will also mean that more people will be potentially barred from various occupations such as healthcare at a time when the country can least afford this.
Potentially more children will be removed from parents using what was once deemed reasonable punishment (such as corporal punishment) and will need to be housed/looked after - this is expensive and will cost the tax payer dear
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
Yes - the proposed bill is actually a huge intrusion into family life and will hinder rather than support parents doing the difficult job of parenting. Parents love their children in a way the state cannot; parents and children live together 24/7 but the state via this bill is trying to get inside this relationship and remove the freedom to parent by removing reasonable punishment (including corporal punishment).
The Bill seems to assume that parents do not know what is meant by reasonable punishment (including corporal punishment) but there is no evidence to support this.
The Bill will limit parental ability to demonstrate love for their children - removing reasonable punishment (including corporal punishment) and not having the full range of options available to parents to discipline their child when they need it will mean children are not encouraged to become responsible caring adults themselves able to contribute to our society - the Bill will instead sow the seeds of hate and discord.