Posts Tagged ‘child abuse’
Stunned
Thinking about voting in the child discipline referendum ? Don't know how to decide? This elegantly produced flow chart will help to make the right decision (warning: large picture).
The related story can be found here.
Corporal punishment referendum
I supported the amendment on section 59 of the Crimes Act, or commonly known as the "anti-smacking bill" . New Zealand is far from a safe heaven for children to grow up, although a change in law would not solve the problem our society is facing in a split second, but you always need to start on something.
The fundamental problem of child abuse is the parents, not the law nor the children. I could still recall that some of people who oppose the bill even made a personal threat to the Green MP Sue Bradford: that left you wondering, if they don't even treat a human being, an adult in a proper manner, how do you expect them to take care of their children?
However, for this referendum, there is another problem, the question used for voting:
Should a smack as part of good parental correction be a criminal offence in New Zealand?
I'm not quite sure who was behind the basis of this question, Clerk of the House finalised the question but I guess the basis of the question was the work of some Christian fundamentalists, but I mean, can it get any more stupid than this? This question carries a clear presumption that smacking (at least some kinds of smacking) is "good parental correction" - well if so, then what heck we are debating about? Should a good thing be criminalised? It's a no brainer question, even I can write something better than that:
Should the Crimes (Substituted Section 59) Amendment Act 2007 (Commonly known as the "anti-smacking legislation") be repealed?
That's the root of all the fuss is it?
I (and many others) actually believe that smacking is not a tool parents should be used to teach their kids as it is inherently bad, but if the currently adapted question is being asked in the referendum, there is no way I could tick either yes or no. For that reason, I will not be voting in this referendum.
