Parents Against Negative Intervention by CYFS
PANIC
Director: John Tonson PO Box 9078 Palmerston North
Home email: jktonson@inspire.net.nz;


25 May 2001


Letter to Editor - Manawatu Standard


The proposal to ban smacking is one of the most misguided and destructive changes ever put forward by our Government.

It will result in many more children being removed from their families by the so-called Child Youth & Family Service because they consider smacking is harming children when most parents think that is ridiculous.

Outlawing smacking of children will lead to an increase of violence as parents out of frustration eventually lose control and lash out in unacceptable ways.

The lack of adequate discipline in families will lead to more out-of-control young people in our nation, with more crime and more disrespect for authority.

A majority of parents in New Zealand know that smacking children is necessary to teach them appropriate boundaries for safe and acceptable behaviour.

Smacking is often essential to protect small children from harm and to deal effectively with disobedience and defiance from children whatever age.

A law banning smacking would be an outright attack on the authority of parents and on their ability to properly discipline their children.

I would urge all New Zealanders to actively oppose this perverted proposal and to work together so that it never becomes law in our land.


John Tonson Director
Parents against negative intervention by CYFS