There is no evidence to support arguments that giving your laaities a hiding contributes to violence in society.
Freedom of Religion South Africa (Forsa) argued before the Constitutional Court yesterday that criminalising the “reasonable chastisement” of children will be detrimental to families.
The civil organisation believes that the 2017 judgement which ruled it illegal for parents to spank their children, “will make criminals of well-meaning parents who love their children and only want what is best for them”.
Advocate Reg Willis, who is representing Forsa, said they were not asking the court to rule on spanking or corporal punishment but rather on the right of parents to use moderate physical correction to discipline their children.
“Parents should be given the right to raise their children without the interference of the state,” he argued.
Justice Edwin Cameron said it was not usually known how often children were physically corrected by their parents and whether such correction constituted reasonable to moderate punishment.
“If this is allowed by law, it may open parents to abusing this right and going overboard,” he said.
Willis argued that there should be guidelines for hidings, for an example, it should not be done in anger.
The departments of justice and social development is opposing Forsa.
Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng asked how a society would deal with problems such as children who attack teachers.
“I’m looking for something that will steer SA away from violence. Are we holding onto the hope that positive discipline will finally set in without parents or teachers being adequately equipped?” he asked.
The debate continues.