Swedish panel seeks support to ban spanking

MEMBERS of the Swedish parliament and advocates of children’s rights today urged the Philippine Church to support an international movement seeking to outlaw corporal punishment of children.

It is possible to discipline children without hitting them, the Swedish parliamentarians told some 100 participants in a seminar where they shared their experience in legally banning the punishment.

“It’s possible and legislation is one very important part. We can see very good examples in Sweden – how to treat and discipline children in definitely another way than corporal punishment,” said Ulrika Carlsson, a member of the Centre Party.

Carlsson said one way of disciplining children without resorting to painful methods is to talk a lot to the children and motivate them.

She said a law is needed to protect children from all forms of violence, both physical and psychological. “That means you don’t have to smack, spank or do any other thing that will hurt them. Not either telling them bad things to put them down.”

Carlsson said the Church could play an important role by supporting House Bill 4455, or the Anti-Corporal Punishment Bill, filed in the Philippine Congress.

“I hope that the churches here in the Philippines also support the legislation because it is not that you will spoil your children but to bring them up in a good way,” Carlsson said.

Report from ucanews.com