Problems of punishment

Perhaps the most difficult issue for any parent is how best to discipline their child. Ground rules are crucial to establish a secure and loving environment, to protect children from harm and to teach them right from wrong. The best way to impose these rules remains a subject of heated debate.

By far the most controversial aspect of child discipline is the use of corporal punishment. In school, the law is straightforward: physical chastisement of any kind is prohibited.

At home it is a different matter. There is still confusion as to how far a parent or guardian should be allowed to go. The Government wants to clarify the position. It is considering bringing in a law that would ban anyone from striking a child with an implement, such as a slipper, belt or cane.

This has led to further accusations that New Labour is introducing a nanny state. Ministers insist that they are simply attempting to protect children from abuse.

Their aim is laudable. Their method is questionable.

It should be beyond question that beating a child with a stick or strap is unacceptable. Yet it took a ruling from the European Court of Human Rights to impose this principle on a reluctant British nation last year.

That does not mean new legislation specifically to safeguard children is needed. Instead, the existing laws on assault that protect adults should be applied with equal vigour to protecting children.

This would not lead to a string of convictions against loving parents. Most people can quickly differentiate between the occasional smack and a beating. The courts would be capable of making that same distinction.

The trouble with New Labour's proposed law is that it would legally endorse smacking. That is the wrong message to send out to those parents who still believe that regular physical punishment is the beginning and end of child discipline.

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