By Cork Student News
IRELAND IS REPORTEDLY coming under increased international pressure both nationally and internationally to outlaw the smacking of children in a domestic context after Britain moved to enact legislation in 2005 which makes it illegal to smack children so hard that it leaves a physical mark on them.
Both the Council of Europe as well as international humans rights organisastions have reportedly being campaigning for an outlawing of the practice in Ireland.
National organizations campaigning for childrens’ rights in Ireland, such as the Childrens Rights Alliance have said that the message will need to come from the top, specifically from the Minister for Children, currently Barry Andrews TD.
Sweden outlawed corporal punishment over 30 years ago; 19 other European countries have similarly moved to enact legislation against the practice, although Ireland still manages to lag behind the pack.
A childrens’ psychologist has said that smacking children is always wrong. Smacking wives was legal in Ireland at one time, said the psychologist, when then should smacking children be still legal?
Cork Student News
