Twitter Is Divided After Scotland Makes Smacking Children Illegal

Scotland is the first UK country to ban smacking for children.

According to BBC News, previously the physical punishment of people under the age of 16 by carers and guardians was permitted if it was considered "reasonable chastisement."

However, in a recent ruling by the court, the 'justifiable assault' defense is now a crime. 

This new law passed includes all kinds of hitting including smacking, slapping, and striking by hand or with an implement to be physical assault, as well as kicking, shaking or throwing children, scratching, pinching, biting, pulling hair or boxing ears, forcing children to stay in uncomfortable positions, burning scalding or forced ingestion.

This law was passed in Scotland a few months back in January 2020 however it came into effect today after being introduced to the Scottish Parliament by a former police officer and Green Party MSP John Finnie.

In an official statement granted to BBC News, Joanna Bartlett  -spokesperson for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children - said:

"This law sets out in clear terms that physical punishment should no longer be part of childhood in Scotland and it marks a momentous step in making it a country where children's rights are truly recognized, respected and fulfilled."

Even though it is considered a monumental day in the history of Scotland but social media is divided over this law as many people consider this law as unnecessary interference of government on child-rearing.  

For instance, one Twitter user reacted to the change in the law by writing: "I was smacked when I was young, but not often, It taught me right from wrong, so what is going to replace this to impress these values of right and wrong to our children? [sic]"

Another tweeted: "Getting my a*** smacked as a child never hurt me one bit. It made me respect my parents. Children now just run riot. I have two and we dont smack but they do get away with alot more than i did when i was the same age. [sic]"