THE GOVERNMENT will argue before the European Commission of Human Rights on Monday that parents in this country should keep the right to administer "reasonable chastisement."

An application to the Commission is being brought after a man was acquitted of assaulting his stepson.

The boy, now aged 11, and his natural father maintain that the punishment amounted to inhuman and degrading treatment, which is outlawed by Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights, and that the state failed to secure the boy's rights under the provision.

This is an issue which divides large sections of society.

Many parents will argue that without the occasional "cuff" it is extremely difficult to instil a sense of discipline into their off-springs.

Others will say that corporal punishment, in any form, is not necessary. The stepfather concerned in the European Commission case had repeatedly caned his stepson between the ages of five and eight.

But in a separate case this week a father was arrested and detained in cells after slapping his 12-year-old son. He was later bound over to keep the peace.

So, what is "reasonable chastisement?"

Arresting and detaining a man for slapping his son seems to be over-reacting. If everyone who gave a naughty child a slap was arrested, our police stations would be bulging with

parents

On the other hand, it is not surprising that there is serious concern over a man who repeatedly caned a little boy between the ages of five and eight. More than 60 children's and health organisations, including the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, have called for smacking, and all forms of physical punishment of children, to be outlawed.

That is taking it too far.

Children quickly learn what they can and cannot get away with. There are occasions when only a quick "cuff" will get home the message.

But using implements with which to hit children is another matter. Anything which puts them at risk of serious injury should be outlawed.

Parents should be allowed to keep the right to administer "reasonable chastisement" of their children. And court decisions must hinge on the term "reasonable."

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