A recent study by University College London (UCL) indicates a potential link between the smacking of children and lower academic achievement, specifically lower GCSE grades. The findings suggest that physical punishment "does no good whatsoever."
This research has ignited discussion among parenting experts and the public regarding the effectiveness and consequences of smacking. Professor Ellie Lee, a family and parenting researcher at the University of Kent, described the study's conclusions as "plausible" but cautioned against seeking single causes for complex child development outcomes. Lee, affiliated with the Be Reasonable England campaign, emphasized the importance of boundaries in teaching children societal rules and moral behavior.
"It would be great if we could just be nice to children and think they would just be nice back," Lee stated. "But the reality of it is, is that in order for children to understand the rules of society, and to learn how to behave in a way that is moral, and that is good, we have to have boundaries, and boundaries have to be backed up."
The legal status of smacking varies across the United Kingdom. Scotland was the first to outlaw physical punishment of under-16s, with a ban on parents smacking their children becoming law in 2020. Wales followed suit in 2022. However, smacking remains legal for parents in Northern Ireland and England.
Proponents of a ban argue it would provide legal protection for young people against assault, while opponents express concern it could lead to the criminalization of parents. Amy Woods, owner of Baby College in Salford, voiced her support for a ban in England, expressing surprise that one is not already in place. "Children need warmth, they need responsive relationships and they need play to thrive, definitely not violence at a young age," she said.
Parents attending a playgroup shared similar sentiments. One mother, Sarah, who attends with her 10-month-old son Joshua, was also surprised that smacking is still legal. "I don't think it's a very good example to be setting to kids," she commented. "If they do something wrong, like hit someone, and you smack them back it doesn't really reinforce the message of 'this isn't ok'."