Spare the rod and spoil the child?
I think this is a slippery slope. I personally am for non-violent parenting but I have had to resort to a light smack on 2 or 3 occasions.
I think criminalising it also leaves the door open to manipulation or false accusations…“Daddy, give me … or I’ll tell my teacher you hit me…”
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This surprises me. I thought that was implemented in the law about a decade ago, in fact I remember it well. But it seems it was more an instruction than a law. So yes, high time this is settled.
It’s the cancel culture of the 20th century; how do you shut up a child? You hit it. And what’s the lesson you’re teaching? If you highly dislike the behaviour of an other person: hit them.
Until I was 13 I was slapped in the face a lot. Followed by being told “don’t even bother crying”. In hindsight the weirdest thing.
Wow, that was a shocking line for me to start the day with. Not even funny. The two extremes, let’s keep life simple, right? That includes bringing up children.
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Bringing up a child is not simple. If anything being a parent is impossible.
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Just an observation from the clueless here, but why does a liberal law such as this (in such that it protects a vulnerable subset of the population) get a government vote but others which also protect children (ban on tobacco advertising), passive smoking rules etc require an initiative and public vote to get through?
Do any cantons already have a ban on smacking children and if not, why not (does that have to be done at a Federal level only)?
And finally, why hadn’t any parent pressure group already decided enough is enough and started an initiative to get a referendum to ban smacking?
(It may be that it was indeed a pressure group which forced the vote in Government).
I’d be happier if they banned Smoking.
If the Government does something the people don’t like they can collect sufficient signatures for a Referendum. If the Government doesn’t do something the people want they can collect sufficient signatures for an initiative.
I don’t know the history of this issue so can’t comment on why/how it is taking the path that it is.
Personally I would like to protect Children from child-abuse but I’m not convinced passing a law is the way to accomplish it. However every alternate that I can think of would cost money which isn’t popular with taxpayers or government.
As a child I received my share of spankings. They didn’t really hurt that much and it did focus my attention that I had done something unacceptable. I think I turned out OK despite this punishment. But I can see where under different circumstances Children can be damaged significantly by corporal punishment.
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The time I opened my Christmas presents 5 days in advance comes to mind…
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They were gonna torture you having to see them laying there for 5 days? 
It’s about some changes to Art. 302 of Swiss Civil Code.
Florence Brenzikofer: This dispatch on the amendment to the Civil Code, entitled “Non-Violent Upbringing,” calls for two additions to Article 302 of the Swiss Civil Code. Paragraph 1 states: “Parents shall raise the child according to their circumstances and promote and protect their physical, mental, and moral development.” This is followed by the following addition: “In particular, they shall raise the child without the use of violence, in particular without corporal punishment and other forms of degrading treatment.”
Paragraphs 2 and 3 of the same article remain unchanged. This is followed by a new paragraph 4: “The cantons shall ensure that parents and the child can consult counseling centers, either jointly or individually, in the event of difficulties in raising their children.”
Philippe Nantermod: Two key new provisions are introduced. First, in paragraph 1, parents must now raise their children without resorting to violence, which explicitly includes corporal punishment and degrading treatment. In paragraph 4, cantons are now required to ensure easy access to counseling and support services for both parents and children, together or separately. These standards are programmatic in nature. They do not entail direct criminal sanctions or subjective rights that can be invoked in court. Their function is primarily preventive and symbolic. They send a clear signal: Swiss society rejects all forms of child-rearing violence.
In concrete terms, the systematic use of violence against children can already be covered by criminal law. In particular, corporal punishment, while not explicitly prosecuted by the Criminal Code, is already covered by other provisions. Examples include assault, simple bodily harm, or breach of the duty to provide assistance or education. Thus, the new standard has positive objectives, namely to establish an educational framework regarding the role of parents.
So, no new criminal prosecution.
On the other hand, what will be the impact for home-schoolers and other people with alternative ideas about education of children? What is violence?
Me too.
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The State should not interfere in how people raise their children. As long as the smacking is not cruel or out of control, it should remain a last option for particularly naughty or defiant children.
If I berate my kid and he responds by hurling my laptop across the room, what am I supposed to do? tell him he’s grounded or dock his pocket money? Smacking provides instant feedback, lays down clear boundaries and helps produce well-adjusted, disciplined and respectful members of society.
Its often the childless in these policy-making roles who have little idea of the domestic realities of trying to raise kids.
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Thing is, it’s a natural thing to do. If you look at the animal world you’ll see that lions, tigers, horses, elephants, other animals will administer a “smack” when a youngster is misbehaving badly. The youngster learns that it’s wrong and hopefully doesn’t do it again in future.
I think there’s a big difference between the occasional spanking and thrashing a child. The latter is criminal and should be punished; the former is parent teaching a child what is acceptable and what isn’t in their behaviour.
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I can see why some people consider smacking child-abuse, but I think these people have no perspective.
While there is an important role for the state to protect vulnerable members of society. There’s also needs to be an acceptance that there should be discretion for the parent to raise their children as they see fit so long as they act with best intentions.
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Ultimately the benefit is to society, because little brats will become bigger brats unless we do our job as parents. And disciplining children is not enjoyable, its tough and takes a toll. I would much rather be good cop all the time.
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My mother had a special technique–she caught the hair at the nape of my neck (particularly sensitive on a young kid). It paralyzed me like a carried kitten for long enough for her to deliver a quiet but direct “message.” It was never debasing, angry, or unpleasant in tone, but it certainly got my attention.
I remember once my son came home from a play date and was a bit out of sorts (he was about 7, I think). Finally, when pressed, he got a bit upset and said that his mum’s friend had found them in the mum and dad’s bedroom playing with the dad’s binoculars. Clearly this wasn’t allowed and my son’s friend knew it. Anyway, the mum shouted at them both and slapped my son’s friend (not my son) but after that day, my son was petrified of this woman and wouldn’t go there again. The kid is a bit off the rails now but obviously there’s no way of knowing whether that’s because of being slapped or the reason he needs more severe discipline.
I can’t think of a scenario where I’d feel compelled to physically correct a child. So far we’ve managed without and now he’s of the size where he’d probably fight back. And win. 
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Coincidentally this was in the local paper today.
The article does go on to explain the law as it stands now and speaks about the decision in parliament yesterday.
The full article is available on ArcInfo but it’s in French and for subscribers only.
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For now on they will have to be called love taps or accidental relfexes
non verbal communication
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Euphemism of the year 
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