is it or is it not illegal to smack an under 5yr old in Scotland?I told my friend yes but she says no..?

Answer 1

Parents force U-turn on law to ban smacking
KAREN RICE EDUCATION CORRESPONDENT

ANGRY parents have forced ministers to the verge of a stunning U-turn over their controversial ban on smacking, Scotland on Sunday has learned.

Stung by criticism that the ban on smacking children under the age of three is redolent of the "nanny state", the Scottish Executive is preparing to weaken the proposal to cover only those aged under one year.

The softening of the policy will be welcomed by parent groups and will help Deputy First Minister Jim Wallace quell a growing revolt among his own Lib Dem backbenchers over the issue. Labour MSPs have also expressed disquiet over the workability of the proposals.

Executive insiders admitted that Wallace had been surprised at the extent of public ridicule of the proposed ban.

Last December, ministers spelled out plans to increase the protection afforded to children under the law. A key part of the planned reforms, contained in the Criminal Justice Bill, was the executive’s desire to make it illegal for parents to smack any child aged three and under.

The Scottish Parliament’s justice committee will take evidence on the proposals before the new legislation is due to be published, leaving a month for a government climbdown.

A survey last week by the Scottish Parent Teacher Council (SPTC) showed 56% of parents were in favour of retaining the right to smack toddlers.

Margaret Smith, the Liberal Democrat’s health spokeswoman and convener of the Scottish Parliament’s health committee, said she would welcome a change of heart by the Executive.

Smith, a parent, said: "There ought to be a rethink on lowering the age. We’ll have to discuss again on the basis of that poll.

"You have to take account of what parents have said and that has to be borne in mind. I would say it certainly needs to be looked at in light of that survey. We have to make sure it has public support and is workable."

Smith is one of four Lib Dem MSPs who have opposed the plan. Donald Gorrie said: "It’s good to legislate but the age should be put down to people up to one."

And Gordon Jackson QC is among a group of Labour backbenchers who are also believed to be unhappy with the proposal. He said a wider ban would bring the law into disrepute.

"We need a sense of proportion. It never does any good criminalising what normal people think should not be criminalised. You risk of undermining the law," he said.

"It’s important that the law has people’s consent. Are we saying that if you give a child under three a gentle tap on the back of the hand, that person should be prosecuted? There’s a danger that decent, law abiding people could think that was daft."

Shadow Education Minister Mike Russell of the SNP, agreed the Executive would have to take account of public opinion.

He said: "The plan as conceived has not proved itself to the people of Scotland or to his own party. Banning smacking under three doesn’t allow for parents who have to smack a hand out of the fire. The mood of the people is they want to be protected but they don’t want parental rights to be destroyed."

Morality campaigner, Victoria Gillick, said: "He’s [Wallace] bringing law into an area which is not appropriate, that’s why it’s daft . What he should be looking at is parents who abuse children, not ones that discipline them."

Lib Dem MSP and convener of the Standards committee, Mike Rumbles, said the Executive should go further and stick with the status quo, which says parents must not use "unreasonable chastisement" when disciplining their children.

He said: "My personal view is that you should not meddle in the rights of parents to bring up their children. I don’t agree with the proposal and I think it should be rethought."

Another Lib Dem MSP, and former Scottish Executive minister, Tavish Scott, who is close to Wallace, said he was not convinced of the merits of the proposal.

Scott said: "I do think the age should be lowered. I have a two-year-old and I’d say he’s pretty typical, he knows right and wrong at two. "

A Scottish Executive spokesman said: "The proposal is a proposal and we’re prepared to get people’s views. The age of three is not set in stone, we have an open mind. That age could drop. The key thing is the principle that it is wrong to hit a child under a certain age, people should not lose sight of that."

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And this link should tell you more:-

http://news.scotsman.com/topics.cfm?tid=31

Answer 2

i'm crying that's so so unhappy hun. i'm sorry for the loss you've both suffered. tell her the actuality. No heaven wouldn't have a telephone so no she will be able to't ring her Mum.tell her there is not any want to ring her because Mum is such as her each and every of the time besides so she will be able to already comprehend.tell her Mummy merely hasn't were given a body anymore and for this reason she will be able to't be considered.

Answer 3

It should be illegal everwhere regardless of age as its considered assault. Whether it is illegal or not I'm not sure of. I cant believe that some parents would actually do that. Whatever happened to "violence is not the answer?"

Answer 4

It is illegal and wrong to smack any child or person for that matter! How disgusting and sad.

Answer 5

Your friend is correct, and will probably have better behaved children if she smacks their a*ses when they deserve it.

Answer 6

it shouldn't be. check out Scotland Law online.

Answer 7

What you doing, You should join LOW you can be very successful.

Answer 8

It should be! Little brats.