Ever since communities were started, rules and laws were established to protect the individual, and the community.

Whether in a family unit, a village, a city, or a nation, standards were created which dictated socially acceptable behaviour, and unacceptable behaviour, and suitable punishments were created to deter and punish deviations from these standards.

Every religion has also laid down acceptable, and non-acceptable behavioural standards.

Recently, the law has been changed, and now says that children cannot be punished.

There is a big and distinct difference between punishing a child, and abusing a child. If a child does something wrong, and receives a slap on the hand, or a smack on the bottom, that child is being punished, and will not do it again, but if the child is punched in the face, or kicked to the ground, that is abuse, and that should definitely not be allowed.

Let’s take this to the next level. Let’s say adults cannot be punished for their wrongdoings either, so we disband the police force, shut down the courts, and empty all the prisons, and let everybody do exactly what they want, with no deterrents or punishments.

Do you want to live in that society?