Smacking A Child: Pope Francis Says It’s OK If They’ve Misbehaved – But Is It?

He was hailed a modern Pope after actively encouraging women to breastfeed during his church services, but Pope Francis has revealed that his views on disciplining children remains dated.

The head of the Catholic Church used one of his recent services to reassure parents that smacking their children is OK when they’ve been naughty.

In one of his weekly general audience, this time dedicated to the role of fathers in the family, the Pope regaled a story of a dad smacking his child – and approved of the approach the father in took.

“One time, I heard a father in a meeting with married couples say ‘I sometimes have to smack my children a bit, but never in the face so as to not humiliate them.’ How beautiful!’ said Pope Francis.

“He knows the sense of dignity! He has to punish them but does it justly and moves on.”

Many campaigners have slammed the Pope’s comments, saying that there are plenty of other ways you can discipline a child without resorting to violence.

Peter Saunders, the founder of the National Association for People Abused in Childhood, told The Telegraph, “It is disappointing that anyone with that sort of influence would make such a comment.” Saunders added that Pope Francis’ comments were “very misguided.”

But Vatican officials have been quick to stress that the Pope was advising on “helping someone to grow and mature.”

Smacking Children – Should You Or Shouldn’t You?
Here in the UK, it isn’t illegal for a parent to hit their own child – so long as the smack amounts to ‘reasonable punishment’, says Law and Child.

Parents aren’t allowed to hit their child so hard that they leave a mark on the child. Scarily, parents are within their right to allow a babysitter, nanny or grandparent to also use reasonable punishment on their child if they see fit.

But does smacking a child even improve their behaviour? A study conducted last year revealed that it doesn’t. The results found that in about three quarters of incidents, the naughty child misbehaved just 10 minutes after being smacked.

Smacking a child may be a quick fix and stun them into good behaviour for a few minutes, but some experts argue that it doesn’t send the right message.

"I’ve worked in the childcare industry for over 22 years and not once have I ever smacked a child, including my own two children," says leading parenting expert Fi Star-Stone. "I would never hurt a child, and smacking hurts.

"I feel smacking is a lack of control. Children can easily be disciplined with gentle time-out methods, taking away proveledges such as favourite toys or pocket money, and from an early age introducing not being afraid to say no and setting clear boundaries.

"Using a low, stern voice when a child has done something wrong is a way of them knowing you are cross and disappointed with their behaviour. there is simply no need for smacking."

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Do you think smacking a child is ever OK? Let us know in the comments.