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The 180

The government needs to step up and ban the spanking of children

Despite a growing body of evidence that shows spanking and other forms of corporal punishment cause lasting psychological harm, they are still legal in Canada. Globe and Mail health writer André Picard says that needs to change.
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This staged picture taken to illustrate a story shows a child being spanked by her mother on March 1, 2015 in Paris. (AFP/Getty Images)

"Every schoolteacher, parent or person standing in the place of a parent is justified in using force by way of correction toward a pupil or child, as the case may be, who is under his care, if the force does not exceed what is reasonable under the circumstances."

That's an excerpt from Canada's Criminal Code, (Section 43, to be precise).

And in other words, it means it's ok to spank your child.  

But André Picard says it's time for the law to catch up with society. 

"At various points in history, the physical punishment of slaves, servants, sailors, apprentices, prisoners, wives, dogs and children has been permitted. Cultural norms and laws have evolved so that these once-commonplace practices have been banished, with one exception: children. It is well past time for the government to afford children the same protections from assault as adults."

At various points in history, the physical punishment of slaves, servants, sailors, apprentices, prisoners, wives, dogs and children has been permitted. Cultural norms and laws have evolved so that these once-commonplace practices have been banished, with one exception: children.- André Picard

The Globe and Mail heath columnist argues that not only have most Canadians realized it's not all right to hit children, but also, science shows it doesn't work. 

"Even if you are not convinced that hitting a child should be illegal, or considered morally wrong, there is strong evidence that it doesn't work...Though it takes more time and patience, actually talking to children about why a behaviour is wrong works a lot better than hitting them."

A flowchart explaining when you should and shouldn't hit your child. (Twitter/@Zootopiacity)

Various groups of Canadians have tried over the past 25 years to have the law changed, but so far to no avail. 

So Picard calls on the Prime Minister to heed the words he spoke earlier this month, in recognition of National Child Day —  "Each child deserves to be raised in an environment that is free of violence, discrimination, and exploitation." — and get rid of Section 43. 

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