Change anti-smacking bill
| Letters To The Editor |
http://www.gisborneherald.co.nz/Default.aspx?s=3&s1=2&id=d940f08208494429a4590423b5f9b6cf
Thursday, 29 May 2008
By George Patterson
When National becomes the Government, as I’m sure they will, I hope they have another look at the anti-smacking legislation. It is based on flawed ideology.
I believe the vast majority of New Zealanders are not child-beaters, but we feel that we should have the right to reprimand our youngsters when they have done something wrong. Again, I don’t think my mother caused me any harm when she gave me a slap around the legs with the thin willow switch because I wouldn’t stop kicking the football against the kitchen wall. And when I broke the window and scampered, I know I deserved the couple of swipes she aimed at me.
I know that the tragic deaths of the Kahui twins and other children suggests the legislation is right. But surely that’s different.
George Patterson