R2OK!

mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

Should smacking be banned in shops? And should you intervene when you see a child being smacked?

Almost half of shoppers would prefer to use stores where adults were banned from smacking their children, a survey said today.

Research for children's charity the N S P C C showed 40% of adults would rather visit such shops given the choice.

Results from the ICM poll, of more than 1,000 adults, also revealed that 77% believe smacking is becoming less acceptable.And nearly all (93%) of those questioned said they wanted shops to take action to help parents avoid losing their temper with children.

Around two-thirds (65%) said they felt concern for children they saw being smacked in public, while 51% said seeing such an incident would make them upset.

Half said they would like to do something to stop a child being smacked, with most of those wanting to comfort the child (42%) and help the parent (47%).

N S P C C parenting adviser Eileen Hayes said: "Shopping with a young child can sometimes try the patience of the most caring parent. Shops can help parents to take the stress out of shopping in simple ways.

"They can display leaflets on how to deal with tantrums and difficult behaviour, train staff to support those who are struggling, and provide play areas for bored or acting-up children."

But what do you think? Should retailers and members of the public be expected to intervene when a child is being smacked? Should smacking be banned by shops? And what can parents do to stop a child throwing a temper tantrum?

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If the child was in any harm yes they should, but it's down to the parents to control their own child. The problem is people are getting too involved with others business now.

John W · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 3367 Location: Warwickshire, UK

In the bad old days when I smacked my kids it wasn't because I lost my temper, I just wanted them to shut up! Other people in the shop were glad that I did so if it worked.

I remember a bloke in a pub telling me he used to stop his baby crying by blowing smoke in it's face!

John W

mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

AndyAndy2 · Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 2:05 pm Post subject:

Hmm...wonder if that's how we got "Smoke get's in your eyes"......I'll get me coat Crying or Very sad

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Some say he once threw a microwave oven at a tramp and that all his potted plants are called 'Steve'.....all we know is, he's called 'The Stig!'.