Corporal Punishment

An essay in connection with International Child Rights

INTRODUCTION

The Prime Minister of the UK, Tony Blair, was asked point blank in an interview with BBC Two’s Newsnight on 10 January 2006(1) about whether he had ever “smacked” his children. He admitted that he did.

His admission drew differing responses from the public – ranging from support to disgust.

This incident itself shows the difficulty faced when dealing with the issue on corporal punishment on children – and the possibility of International Human Rights Law in attempting to prohibit it in any context.

This essay will attempt to deal with the issue in the following manner:-

1. What is corporal punishment (“CP”)?

2. The law and legal provisions on CP on children

3. The views for and against the call to prohibit CP on children in any context


4. Conclusion

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(1) See report online at this link:- http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4600454.stm

2 Comments:

Blogger SHELTONSFAMILY said...

This is a tough situation. I mean, we are lead to believe that it worked so well in the past. Because "Back then people didnt act like they do today", but how would we really know anyway.
I mean, I got spankings and turned out ok. So I really learned a type of respectful fear of my parents. However, I think the line is so thin, that in the long run it will likely become illegal.

April 20, 2006 9:10 pm  
Blogger imissw said...

Yeah, i know what you mean. I got spanked when i was a kid and i would like to believe that i turned out OK too!

In Europe, it appears that the trend is moving towards making it illegal. I pray that whatever the decision, it would made based on what is best for children.

Thanks for your comment.

April 20, 2006 9:18 pm  

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