Citation

Rogers C, Thomas G. Crime Prev. Community Safety 2022; 24(1): 42-56.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group -- Palgrave-Macmillan)

DOI

10.1057/s41300-021-00137-7

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Parental discipline of children has long included the use of corporal punishment and has drawn conflicting views upon its effectiveness and its long-term effects upon individuals and society as a whole. This article considers the use of such a tactic by individuals, discussing its use and the research surrounding it at the international and national levels. It explores the introduction of the 'The Children (Abolition of the Defence of Reasonable Punishment) (Wales) Act,' which will become law in Wales during March 2022. This Act, whilst not creating a specific criminal act in itself, removes the defence of reasonable chastisement for parents when correcting their children in Wales. The article further considers the potential impact that the removal of the reasonable chastisement clause may have for those agencies charged with overseeing the safety of children, including the potential increase in reported cases and the issues of media and public awareness.

Language: en

Keywords

Corporal punishment; Partnership working; Reasonable chastisement; Wales