Should Smacking be Banned in England & Northern Ireland? Part 2

Parents Who Think

Parents Who Think (PWT) guests Jo, Roma and Nicole “Get Up On Their High Horse” in our “Should Smacking be Banned in England and Northern Ireland?” debate. Didn’t listen to episode one of this debate? Don’t worry.

If you’ve a newcomer to PWT debates you can catch up on details in a quick 10-minute episode, telling you how these PWT debates work and meet host, Danusia Malina-Derben. But if you're in a rush, just dive into this episode where Danusia and three parents discuss whether smacking should be banned in England and Northern Ireland, or not.

In this episode, we begin with guests sharing their most challenging parenting moments that led to smacking or rough handling. Brace yourself for candid and unfiltered stories as these PWT parents recount the times when they resorted to physical discipline.

The heart of this episode is our "Get Up On Your High Horse" segment, where differing opinions clash, and reaching a consensus is not our goal. Here's a glimpse of what you'll hear:

Self-Regulation Advocate - One parent emphasises the importance of parents developing self-regulation skills to create a safe environment for their children.

Pro-Education Stance - Another parent argues for mandatory parent education to support those struggling, rather than criminalizing parents who are doing their best under difficult circumstances. She highlights the impact of sleep deprivation in her case against banning smacking.

Ban Smacking Proponent - The final guest advocates for an outright ban on smacking, dismissing arguments for 'reasonable punishment’.

Key Discussions:

- The blurred lines in defining physical punishment.

- Whether some parents might be granted accommodations.

- The cultural shift required to move away from smacking as a norm.

Next week, we'll explore the real-world implications of these parents' beliefs. At Parents Who Think, we don’t hand out answers; we spark debates and leave it to you to choose your side. Join us for our thought-provoking close-out discussion that challenges traditional views on parenting and physical punishments.

PWT Guests featured in this debate are:

Roma Norriss + Jo Bull + Nicole Ratcliffe

Discover more from us:

• Join us on Substack ~ We’re building a PWT community there. Come on over.

• 70 countries that banned smacking

• Smacking is an act of violence Guardian article

• Why smacking should not be criminalised article

• Follow us on Instagram

• Connect with Danusia

• Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts

• Advertising Inquiries here

Credits:

• Hosted by Danusia Malina-Derben

• Edited, Mixed + Mastered by Roger Heathers

• Assisted by Marie Kruz

• Cover art by Anthony Oram