<p> Parenting Article No. 29</p><p>THE ARGUMENTS AGAINST SMACKING</p><p>“ About 10% of parents spank their child and see  When a child is smacked it usually results in nothing wrong with it. About 20% of parents never good behaviour. Unfortunately this good spank their children. About 70% of parents spank behaviour is also a reward to the parent. As the their children but wish they didn’t” good behaviour becomes a reinforcement for Dr Sal Severe – How to behave so your children will smacking parents can become conditioned to too. smacking - using it more and more (and possibly harder and harder) to get good behaviour. This Most parents have heard phrases such as “You may lead to accidental injury or loss of control shouldn’t smack a child” or “It is “wrong to by the parent. smack” but whilst these phases are often cited many parents do not understand the reasoning  Smacking (perceived by children as one person behind them. hitting another) not only gives children the message that it is OK to hit others but also that Basically the arguments – based on research and violence is an acceptable way to solve problems theory - put forward against smacking or physical and get what you want. Bullying behaviour may punishment are: also develop as children perceive such violence as a means of control.  Although smacking may stop the behaviour for the moment it is usually only temporary with the Discipline is a complex issue with so many factors behaviour likely to be repeated in the future. It involved and no one correct way. Parents are does not teach the child what to do instead and encouraged to think about how they discipline their some children may become so angry or have child/ren to ensure that it is of benefit to both adult their feelings so hurt that they may have and child. difficulty remembering the reason for the punishment. Parents and care-providers of children (aged 0-12) wising to know more on the topic of discipline and  When a child is frequently smacked the control who have access to the internet are encouraged to of the child’s behaviour is external to the child visit the South Australian Govt. Website (usually the parent) so that it is harder for the www.parenting.sa.gov.au and search for child to learn self control and make responsible “Discipline with Love” which is Parent Easy Guide decisions for themselves. The child may also #2. become reliant on the parent (via a smack) to be the cue to stop their undesirable behaviour. References  Children who are smacked may start to focus Discipline with Love Parent Easy Guide #2 South on the punishment rather than their behaviour or Australian Government decision to behave in that manner. The may Dr S Severe – How to behave so your children will perceive that once they have been punished that too Bantom Books every-thing is now OK or develop ways to avoid R Burke, R Heron - Common Sense Parenting being smacked by lying, cheating or blaming Boys Town Press others.</p><p>For a complete list of Regional Parenting Service articles go to the City of Greater Geelong website www.geelongaustralia.com.au/community/family/services/article/8cbc84b53070368.aspx</p>