Is it illegal to smack children in the UK?
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Smacking may make parenting harder in the long run, not easier.
By Tamsin Kelly
What’s the current law on smacking children in the UK?
It is legal for a parent or carer to smack their own child in England, Wales and Northern Ireland when it amounts to ‘reasonable punishment’, as laid down in section 58 of the Children Act 2004.
But whether a smack can be judged reasonable punishment will depend on the age of the child and the force involved in smacking. Parents have the right to choose to di...
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