Sparing the rod will spoil the child

Following a ruling by the Constitutional Court that spanking a child is illegal in private homes, The BEAT spoke to a number of parents who expressed their views on this decision.

Modimolle-based Evangelist Oscar Malete feels that the judgement will result in a situation where parents are unable to shape and manage the behaviour of their children.

He said spanking the child at times helps them to differentiate between right and wrong.

“In a long run this could cause a serious damage in the society. I remember when I was young, my parents used to give me a hiding for only standing on a street next to a tavern. As a result, I
could not even consider going inside because I knew that it would be a serious issue when I get home,” he said.

Malete said when parents spank their children, it is not an abusive act, but a way of shaping them to stay away from wrongdoing.

Concerned parent, Mahlodi Molekwa, said the ruling had to be elaborated, to avoid further confusion and a situation where parents find themselves behind bars.

She cited that there are indeed some forms of punishment that are not good for children.

“Beating your child with the intention to do grievous bodily harm will have negative effects, but a little spanking is not a bad thing. If we spare the rod completely, this will affect the
behaviour of our children. They will not listen to the parents because they know there is nothing you can do even if they rebel against you,” she said.

Another parent Samuel Mphafudi said that he was not happy with the ruling. Mphafudi said most children are already a law unto themselves, due to a misinterpretation of their rights.

“You can imagine how they will behave now that they know parents cannot take any action when they do wrong. If you compare the older generation with the current one, there is a huge difference
in terms of behaviour and respect,” he said.

Mphafudi said in future, decisions like these should be taken only after proper consultations with communities.

— The BEAT