British Education Minister Nadhim Zahawi wants parents to maintain the legal right to decide whether to slap their children as a form of discipline, in response to calls for a ban in England.
Children's Commissioner Rachel de Souza (appointed by the government but working independently), told Times Radio on Thursday that she wants the Executive to support the ban, after Scotland and Wales have legislated to prevent this form of corporal punishment.
However, in a statement to the same station, Zahawi admitted that his view is that the Executive should trust parents in choosing the form of punishment that they apply to their children rather than deciding for them.
The minister added that he does not think he ever hit his 9-year-old daughter, although he confessed that his wife, on occasion, felt the need for a light slap on the girl's arm, “if she has been very naughty and misbehaved”.
The Commissioner was in favour of applying the ban in England and also in Northern Ireland.
“I am against any violence against children. Because children are more vulnerable than adults, we need to ensure that their rights are defended,” he added.
“I certainly admire Scotland and Wales for this. It's something I think we should consider,” he said.
The minister acknowledged Souza's passion for the protection of minors, but insisted that there is a “big difference” between child abuse, about which there is “strong legislation”, and “a light slap on the child's arm by a father.”
More than 60 countries have already adopted legislation against corporal punishment against minors, prohibiting a child from being shaken, slapped or beaten.
(With information from EFE)
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