I am writing in support of the repeal of section 59 of the Crimes act.
Our recent referendum on the "smacking" issue contained a misleading question, ironically a kin to, "When did you stop beating your wife?", and the results of the referendum cannot be used to support a reinstatement of the old section 59.
For my parents' generation it was relatively routine for husbands to smack their wives, and we now look at that and wonder how it was tolerated. Future generations will look back on child smacking and wonder how it was tolerated.
Research consistently and conclusively shows that non-violent parenting is generally better for children than parenting that includes smacking.
We are making progress towards becoming a less violent society. The new law sets out an important guideline for parents that will have wonderful outcomes for future generations. Please do not set us back by reinstating the old section 59 of the crimes act.
