Should parents be banned from smacking their children?

When they are old enough they are always told NO and the reason why. If they persist, the next stage is no, don't do that again or you know what you will get- a smack-enough to let them know who is boss. Sometimes it just gives them a "shock" to realise that you mean what you say. A warning - count to 3 and they don't behave then they get a smack. We have used sitting in the corner-facing into the room-especially if they have hurt another person deliberately- until they say "sorry" to the other person involved. We have done it if they are cruel to pet too, especially if the pet is asleep.

that is why there are so many cheeky brats around if they were given a slap on the back side it wont hurt them... i looked after a friends child he was a screaming little brat that is until i told him if u dont stop i will slap ur arse.. and when i did he wondered what happened to him NO MORE trouble afta that,.,

i don't think it hurts to give a child a smack,on the backside or on the top of the hand,it teaches them,that what they done is not OK. If it is only a small smack,that is acceptable. Anything over that,is not acceptable. I was smacked everyday as a child,but it went far beyond that alot of times,its not right to abuse.

A small smack won't hurt them....mental abuse can be worse.........

There is a huge difference between a smack, and the abuse some parents inflict on their children. A smack reinforces to the child that their persistance in negative behaviour will not be tolerated. But smack after smack is abuse and reinforces the message to the child they are "bad" or unloved.