In responce to Natalia's comments.where is your proof that smacking at home creates the trouble makers on the streets,that is sterio typing at it's best, i suppose the two girls who were arrested for the recent riots last year had been subjected to this, (one was an esteemed ballet dancer and one was the daughter of a multi millionaire),or hows about the string of famous musicians kids who run amok urinating over monuments and wrecking hotel rooms,really any teen or youth is capable of crime it depends on their curcumstances,where they are and the spur of the moment, it has nothing to do with smacking,it is a social problem relating to poverty and social envoirament,besides i don't think many parents will hit a teen for fear of a certain retaliation off the child/or teen in responce to a parent hitting them,i think these days it is more uncommom to do this than 10 or 20yrs ago.

In responce to Natalia's comments.where is your proof that smacking at home creates the trouble makers on the streets,that is sterio typing at it's best, i suppose the two girls who were arrested for the recent riots last year had been subjected to this, (one was an esteemed ballet dancer and one was the daughter of a multi millionaire),or hows about the string of famous musicians kids who run amok urinating over monuments and wrecking hotel rooms,really any teen or youth is capable of crime it depends on their curcumstances,where they are and the spur of the moment, it has nothing to do with smacking,it is a social problem relating to poverty and social envoirament,besides i don't think many parents will hit a teen for fear of a certain retaliation off the child/or teen in responce to a parent hitting them,i think these days it is more uncommom to do this than 10 or 20yrs ago.

In responce to Jay your information is wrong regarding not shocking a child when the are turning blue or purple,according to the medical journal this is the first signs of curculatory shock (which means they are not getting oxygen around their body),if you stick a child out of the way and leave them to snap out of it they could actually become unconcious,relax and swallow their tongue and choke,would you want to take that chance any common sence parent would not take the chance with a PC attitude in those curcumstances and your regard of letting them faint isn't exactly responsible is it..

I was smacked as a child and it was awful. I vowed that when I had my own kids I would never smack them. I have wonderful children (one is a teenager) and I neither I nor my spouse has ever smacked them. We have provided them with all our love and support and in turn they are the best kids I could have ever wished for. It pains me to see people smacking children in public - especially when the child is only aged around 2 or 3. Most parents hit out when they themselves are angry and have lost control. There is no need for violence. A smack will not resolve the deep rooted problem of a child misbehaving.

I have been fully employed for 38 yrs and have no police record, and my father and mother both hit me when it was needed, ie when all reasoning had failed, I did not turn into a child beater myself nor did it affect me mentally in any way shape or form, I am told I am good company to be with,I don't drink to excess, and can't remember the last time I was in a fight, so all this talk of hitting children will make them cerry it on on their adult life is rubbish,if anything my father kept me on the straight and narrow by hitting me, I loved my parents very much and miss them every day since the passed on, so it had no adverse affect on me.for the record I was beaten by most of my school teachers while at school , from the age of around 8 some say I needed it, weather this is true or not I turned out to be a kind decent human being, so some times it does work...

smacking .giving disapline these days is frowned upon.wher do parents go for advice on this one says this others say that .what is the law and hpw do you control children within the law .ansewers please from anyone who actually knows and knows it works .

Good points well made Nathan. A violent response to children's behaviour will undoubtedly embed the idea in them that this is what they should do, and so it goes on. Its very sad. It's the response of parents who do not have the intelligence to work out the alternatives.

In regard to the comment about shocking a child who holds their breath - that is completely wrong. They do not need to be shocked out of it - that is a response which will promote more of the same behaviour. It can make the sitaution worse, and once the child is aware that breath holding brings about panic in the parent, it feeds the need to do it - because the reaction is the fuel. Put the child down where they are safe and walk away. This is the only recognised way to deter them. If they faint, they will breathe. Never smack a child who holds their breath unless you want to promote the behaviour for years. Is it any wonder smacking of children had to become an offence in law.

The teenagers who are the trouble makers, and who are getting into trouble are the ones who are smacked at home. The bullying behaviour they have grown up with continues in the playground.
They are unhappy and full of anger, and take it out on others.
Children should be raised with love and gentleness, not violence.
As a society we are encouraged to detach ourselves from our children as soon as they are born. Society needs to change, violence does not solve anything.

I have to agree with Mr Grayling we have far to many people who are on our streets who show disrespect to others. Discipline starts at home and if it means a clip around the ear then so be it. It is different beating from a child. But there is nothing worse than a child having a tantrum in the middle of a street and it's parent threatening it with this and that and doing nowt about it. It sends the wrong signals. how many times do you see the situation where people are not made to face the repercussions of their actions and stick their finger up at authority.

In responce to Jinny(if you need one),no it doesn't make you a bad parent,in fact a child turning blue/purple with their temper needs that shock to grasp a gulp of fresh air,so infact you were probably saving your childs life as it is the first stages of cyanosis which can lead to heart failure and curculatory shock i beleive.