Prominent Pediatrician Advocates for Ban on Smacking in England

March 7, 2025 - 18:08

Professor Andrew Rowland has expressed strong support for a proposed ban on smacking children, aligning with a Labour MP's initiative aimed at removing physical punishment from the parenting toolkit in England. Rowland, a leading figure in pediatric medicine, emphasizes the need for a shift in societal attitudes towards discipline. He argues that smacking can have detrimental effects on children's mental and emotional well-being, advocating for alternative, non-violent forms of discipline.

The call for change comes amid growing concerns about the long-term impacts of physical punishment on child development. Research has increasingly shown that non-violent methods of discipline are more effective in promoting positive behavior and fostering healthy parent-child relationships. Rowland's endorsement of the ban highlights a broader movement to prioritize children's rights and well-being, encouraging parents to adopt more compassionate approaches to discipline. This initiative could mark a significant step towards modernizing parenting practices in England and aligning them with contemporary understanding of child psychology.