A profound shift in British attitudes towards smacking has been revealed by an exclusive new poll, showing a majority of the public now believe it is unacceptable to physically punish a child. The findings have ignited fresh demands for the government to outlaw the practice in England and Northern Ireland—the last two nations in the UK where it remains legal.
The survey, commissioned by the Mail, indicates that the court of public opinion has turned decisively against corporal punishment. This growing consensus places mounting pressure on ministers to align the law with modern parenting values and scientific evidence on child welfare.
The Legal Divide: A UK Patchwork
Currently, the United Kingdom operates a fractured legal system concerning smacking:
- Scotland led the way, implementing a full ban on physical punishment in 2020.
- Wales followed suit, making it illegal for parents to smack their children in 2022.
- England and Northern Ireland remain outliers, where the outdated ‘reasonable chastisement’ defence persists in law.
This means that in nearly half of the UK, a legal defence that was conceived in the Victorian era can still be used to justify hitting a child.
Voices for Change: Charities and Campaigners React
The poll results have been welcomed by children's charities and welfare organisations as a clear mandate for change. They argue that the law must catch up with public sentiment to give all children equal protection from assault, regardless of their postcode.
Campaigners point to a wealth of evidence showing that physical punishment can be harmful to a child's development and mental health, and is ineffective as a long-term disciplinary strategy. They contend there is no such thing as a ‘reasonable’ level of violence towards a child.
The Road Ahead: Political Pressure Builds
The findings are expected to spark intense debate in Westminster and Stormont. With public opinion now clearly aligned with child protection experts, policymakers face increasing calls to consign the ‘reasonable chastisement’ defence to history.
This would ensure every child across the UK has the same legal protection from being hit—a protection adults take for granted. The question is no longer if the law will change, but when.
