Beyond ‘Anti-Smacking’ – Challenging violence and coercion in parent-child relations

This paper reviews contradictions between the recognition that smacking is unnecessary and dangerous and its continuing prevalence and acceptability. Two underlying causes for this paradox are considered: the cultural system that constructs children as human becomings rather than human beings, and the power system that guarantees parents’ rights over children’s human rights. The paper concludes with some practical suggestions.