I was watching Sky News this morning and there was this poll on the controversial issue of smacking a child (see currect poll: http://www.skynews.com.au/vote/results.asp?repeat=y)

Gee, a majority of pollsters said YES (perhaps they were really really cranky parents out there) !!  

But see this news page click here: http://www.skynews.com.au/story.asp?id=127400 !!

A disturbing 45% out of 750 Aussie parents say it's reasonable to leave a mark on a child as a result of physical punishment.

OH BULL. I find smacking is a form of physical abuse. There must be an alternative rather than smacking. What about politely to kids, what is right and what is wrong during raising a kid. Gee, a kid does'nt know what is right or wrong !!

I was smacked as a child.  There's a big difference between a smack on the bum and child abuse though.

Dunno!!!!!!!!!!!!

Quoted from babes_mate

Gee, a kid does'nt know what is right or wrong !!

Neither do Adults !!

Quoted from Paula

I was smacked as a child.  There's a big difference between a smack on the bum and child abuse though.

Same here. . . by the time I was 6 I never got another smack . . just the few quick ones to the butt did the job . . no answering back . . and it certainly got my attention!.  . .and I love my Mum to bits now too.

I do feel embarrassed for parents of 2 year olds who won't use the hand but are trying to 'reason' with a tantrum throwing brat in the shopping center.  Many kids simply don't respond to 'reason' once the heat is on . . and they learn to ramp it up to temper as their first step.

I am glad my girls are all grown now. . (and I have never visited them in prison). . I think I have done OK.

Today's kids need discipline.

Quoted from antony

Today's kids need discipline.

Amen to that!

It really depends on the situation, age of the child and the type of smack.

I think a smack on the bum is ok, I agree with antony kids need more discipline, I have 4 kid’s and they have all received at one time or another a smack on the bum, I have been told by other parents when our kids have slept over their friends or when we have been out as a family, coming to us saying what great kids we have, they are by no means angels, all I have to do now is raise my voice and they know that if they continue they get a smack, their ages range from 13,9,8,7. But we have taught them how to behave.
One of the problems is the government stepping in telling parents how to raise their kids, on one hand they say, if you discipline your kids we will send DOCS in, then on the other hand they say what little shits the kids when they grow up and that the parents are to be held responsible for the kid’s crimes. There is no real magic formula for raising kids   and I think some parents go overboard, but I think in the end there should be more discipline at home and at school.

Wow, everyone here says its ok (except for one 'dunno), but the poll has a couple of 'no' opinions. I'd love to know what their reasoning is behind their answers. Those who have said 'yes' have given great reasons.

I think its fine to smack a kid, so long as it's yours! And they do get to a certain age where its better to take away priveleges or take money off their allowance or something, instead of smacking. I think its crazy that they want to outlaw it. The goverment are going too far, they have no right to tell parents what they can and can't do when it comes to their kids.... Unless you're a deadbeat parent who thinks its ok to put your kid in a dryer for fun, or its funny to give your kid beer, or use dope to garnish their spagettii meal... In which case yes, the government should step in and let them know what they can and can't do with their kids, followed by a mandatory sterelization of the parents....

If discipline can be instilled without hitting/smacking then it should be used. I do not agree with smacking. I was hit frequently for the stupidest of reasons when a child, as were my three older sisters. Our mother was the disciplinarian and I absolutely dispised her for what she did to us girl's. It took a long time to get over it, in fact it is only in the last 10 years that I haven't thought of her as a tyrant. The last time she hit me was when she slapped me hard across the face when I was about 13-14. We were afraid of her because we didn't know what was going to set her off. She used a feather duster cane and the wooden spoon, mostly, but had a 'strap' made of thick leather. I smacked my kids as many times as you can count on one hand and always on the fattest part of their bum but I don't even agree with that any more.
I never copped it as badly as my much older sisters. The eldest would run, and Mum would just wait until she returned home, the third one would cry before the first hit, so wasn't hit as hard and the second one was defiant and stood and took her punishment without a sound... so she copped it the worst. After belting me once mum locked me in 'the back room' where I happily sat and read comic books which were kept there. When Dad came home he was outraged and let me out. Mum got into trouble from Dad and of course she took it out on me first chance she got. A smack, I have seen, can lead to something much more brutal. I experienced it myself and I saw it in my second ex-husband with our son. I intervened and prevented permanent harm but some people go to the next level when dispensing a 'smack'.
Take away their Game Boy, Cinema outings, pocket money, TV, make-up for a couple of weeks or a month before resorting to smacking. If the child is too young for those things, tie up the swing, ban them from their favourite toys or treats, anything. That's my opinion from my experience. Cheers all.

smacking could lead to much worse. i voted no. parents should try other methods before resorting to violence because that's what it is, no matter how soft. it encourages them to smack their friends if they fight.

Quoted from SuziH

...Take away their Game Boy, Cinema outings, pocket money, TV, make-up for a couple of weeks or a month before resorting to smacking. If the child is too young for those things, tie up the swing, ban them from their favourite toys or treats, anything. That's my opinion from my experience...

And if the child still misbehaves? Hmm?  It's very easy to stand back and say "you're a tyrant because you hit your kid".  A smack on the bottom is not abuse, and of course it's the last resort; that was obvious to me.

Quoted from marvin

...I think some parents go overboard, but I think in the end there should be more discipline at home and at school.

I agree but schools can do little.  We're not allowed to touch a child; they banned the cane etc.   As for parents, their attitude is "he/she's your problem".  Catch 22.

think its fine to smack a kid, so long as it's yours! L:O

Thats assualt plain and simple,  there is absolutly nothing wrong with smacking a child to enforce the issue and i'm quiet sure that what is deemed abuse in relation to a smack is it cannot be above the shoulder. I was smacked when I was a child I don't see any issues with me ( some might disagree thou)