Murray proceeded to call on all MPs to ban physical punishment of children. A case challenging the legality of physical discipline went to the Supreme Court of Canada. Chief Justice McLachlin, writing for the majority, took the opportunity to clarify what is and is not appropriate.
Physical discipline may only be used for children between the ages of two and Physical discipline must be sober and reasoned and address behaviour. Start your day with a roundup of B. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.
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Please try again. Given that about half of Canadian parents use physical discipline, this argument is not a minor or hypothetical matter. There are two key questions: is physical discipline really harmful or abusive, and who is the best situated to determine whether it is an acceptable form of discipline, the State or the parent? Many news reports pronounce disastrous effects of spanking.
The studies they cite examine the effects of harsh physical punishment i. Yet it is these findings on harsh forms of physical punishment that are applied to the careful use of spanking, with very little context.
