A Nottinghamshire MP has sparked an online debate after criticising a new law that outlaws the smacking of children in Wales. Lee Anderson, Conservative MP for Ashfield, said he himself was smacked and he smacked his two sons, Charlie and Harry.
In a Facebook post on Monday, March 21, he said: "When a loving parent smacks a child it affects the parent as well. I would feel terrible for days afterwards but I would think back to my childhood where I received a smack when I was naughty." Mr Anderson added that "responsible loving parents should be allowed to parent without interference from the law".
The post follows an announcement by the Labour-led Welsh government that outlawed the practice, removing the defence of "reasonable punishment" and telling people to call social services or police if they see a parent or carer meting out physical punishment.
"It's important to remember that smacking does not have to be child cruelty but in Labour's Wales smacking is now a crime," continued Mr Anderson. His comments provoked a split reaction on Facebook, with many sharing their personal experiences of smacking.
One commenter on his Facebook page said he "can't see why any parent has got to hurt a child." He added: "I only started to behave when I was taken under the wing of my father-in-law and he never raised his voice or hands." A fellow Facebook follower agreed, commenting: "Sorry Lee, I beg to differ. Some adults are very heavy handed and, in my opinion it encourages bullying when the children are older."
Many were in support of the MP, however. One parent replied to the post: "I smacked my kids when younger, hasn’t done them any harm. My dad smacked myself and my two sisters years and years ago, when you're naughty you were punished. I can tell you this not one of us three girls brought any trouble to the family home."
