Two Thirds of parents are criminals

The Herald reports:

But a Weekend Herald-DigiPoll survey, which put the same questions this month to 200 parents of 4-year-olds, has found that just 9 per cent of mothers and 8 per cent of fathers now smack their children that often [weekly].

About two-thirds of both mothers and fathers still smack at least occasionally, despite the 2007 law promoted by Green MP Sue Bradford that banned using force against children for the purpose of “correction”.

It is a small sample size, but in line with other polls.

Despite this, in line with other recent polls, a massive 85.4 per cent still plan to vote “No” on the referendum question, “Should a smack as part of good parental correction be a criminal offence in New Zealand?”

Only 10.8 per cent plan to vote “Yes”, with 3.8 per cent undecided.

Not only do those who still smack resent this law. Even those who choose not to, say the law should go. They think parents should decide how to raise their children – not the state. They do not accept that a light smack is abuse, violence, bashing etc.

However, the Herald poll has found that 78.5 per cent of the parents questioned plan to vote. Only 14 per cent say they will not vote, and 7 per cent are unsure.

The higher the turnout, the harder it is for the Government and Parliament to dismiss it.