Consultation on the Children (Abolition of Defence of Reasonable Punishment) (Wales) Bill

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

CADRP-112

CADRP-112

 

About you

Individual

1      The Bill’s general principles

1.1     Do you support the principles of the Children (Abolition of Defence of Reasonable Punishment) (Wales) Bill?

— No

1.2     Please outline your reasons for your answer to question 1.1

(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)

I have successfully brought up and have been brought up where smacking can/was used to help children behave in a socially responsible, respectful way. I believe that constraining parents in such a way is idealistic and doesn't work and will cause children to develop into adults who will be selfish and uncontrollable, with no self discipline. What right do the governing bodies have in criminalising parents when their record from looking after children in care is very poor to say the least. My children love us as parents and say how amazing we were. Each one are very successful and mentally well balanced individuals. I cannot say the same for the children who have been brought up without such discipline. The government will be making problems in numerous ways...causing good parents to not be able to follow their religion beliefs and at the same time creating chaos in a society that has no control over their young. The government will not be able to spread its resources in such a wasteful way

 

1.3     Do you think there is a need for legislation to deliver what this Bill is trying to achieve?

(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)

No. Teaching parents how to be consistent, loving, fair. Giving time to bring their children up properly is more likely to work, not interfering with good parents that are doing and have done a good job. Good parenting is not about stopping smacking but about making poor parents spend time with their children as good parenting takes effort and time. If parents are being cruel to their children, the law has everything it needs to prosecute bad parents.

2      The Bill’s implementation

2.1     Do you have any comments about any potential barriers to  implementing the Bill? If no, go to question 3.1

(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)

The government will be wasting resources criminalising good parents and ruining the lives of the children where it intervenes for no good reason. Smacking being used by loving parents is not one of them. The government cannot meet the needs of cared for children properly now. Also, poor parents who don't really love their children will be happy to allow the government to take responsibility for bringing their children upas they will be free to do what they like with no costs to themselves

2.2     Do you think the Bill takes account of these potential barriers?

(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)

Not at all

3      Unintended consequences

3.1     Do you think there are there any unintended consequences arising from the Bill? If no, go to question 4.1

(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)

Many

4      Financial implications

4.1     Do you have any comments on the financial implications of the Bill (as set out in Part 2 of the Explanatory Memorandum)? If no, go to question 5.1

(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)

You can't afford to carry this law through

5      Other considerations

5.1     Do you have any other points you wish to raise about this Bill?

(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)

It is insulting to think that you would call me a criminal simply because I used smacking. What right do you have? You don't know best. Your idea is based on idealism not reality