A mother and author of a parenting guide believes parents should be able to smack their kids.
Speaking on Today, Sue Edgerley revealed she takes a more traditional stand on parenting – one where smacking is an acceptable form of discipline.
‘I think smacking should be the first line of discipline when it comes to children,’ she said.
Parent and author Sue Edgerley revealed on the Today show that she thought smacking was an acceptable way to discipline kids if done appropriately
The self-published author of 5 Keys To Parenting said smacking a child was an effective way to discipline kids, but this needed to be done in an appropriate way.
Ms Edgerley explained there was a difference between lashing out and hitting a child and smacking as a way to bring order into the home.
She said the advantages of smacking was that it was an effective and simple way to deter a child from a behaviour.
‘A parent who delivers a smack on the hand or on the bottom in a calm and controlled manner is not scary to a child. They know what to expect, they know their parents are in control.’
Ms Edgerley said explained there was a difference between a parent who smacked a child in a controlled way versus one who lashed out in anger (stock image)
Smacking isn’t illegal in Australia, and light smacking with an open hand isn’t deemed unacceptable as such.
Ms Edgerley said smacking is effective up until a child was 10-years old as by then parents should have established the rules of the house.
She said parents shouldn’t smack teenagers because children who had grown up in a more disciplined household would already have respect for authority.
While Ms Edgerley’s position is echoed by 70 per cent of Australians according to a survey by Kidspot, it’s not one parenting expert Julie Green agrees with.
Also speaking on the program, Ms Green, of the parenting research centre, said that smacking isn’t a good way to discipline kids.
Parenting expert Julie Green while smacking provided an immediate consequence, there were better ways to manage a child’s behaviour
‘Smacking is effective in the short term but not in the long term because it doesn’t teach children self-control or how to manage their behaviour.’
The expert said studies have shown that smacking is linked to an increased likelihood of lower self-esteem, poor mental health and aggressive behaviour.
‘Smacking could injure a child, and send a message that it’s okay to hit others.’
Ms Green said research has shown positive parenting has better outcomes
Ms Green also said that while smacking provided an immediate consequence, there were better ways to manage a child’s behaviour.
She said there was evidence to show positive parenting – a style that encourages and rewards good behaviour – is more effective than forms which highlight the negative.
Australian parent expert, Sharon Witt also encouraged parents to look for alternative discipline methods rather than resorting to smacking.
Speaking previously to FEMAIL, Ms Witt said smacking was outdated – the way parents disciplined their kids 30 years ago.
‘Parents have to be mindful that giving a child a smack because you are frustrated is not really teaching them the right thing,’ she said.
‘In our society, we can’t really hit someone because we are frustrated with them.
‘There are now many other ways we can use to guide our children.’
Ms Witt said more effective strategies for disciplining children was to raise them with a strong sense that there are consequences for their actions.