Smacking children could lead to lower GCSE grades, study suggests
Summary
A study by University College London found that smacking children may lead to lower school grades and riskier behavior in teenagers. The research calls for England and Northern Ireland to ban smacking, following Scotland and Wales, but the English government says it has no plans to change the law.Key Facts
- The study followed 19,000 UK children born between 2000 and 2002, observing them at ages 3, 5, and 7.
- Children who were smacked were 5.7% more likely to fail to achieve five good GCSE grades, including in English and Maths.
- Fourteen-year-olds who experienced smacking in early childhood were 33% more likely to engage in risky behaviors like bullying.
- Scotland banned smacking children under 16 in 2020, Wales followed in 2022, but England and Northern Ireland still allow it.
- The Department for Education in England says protecting children’s safety remains a priority but will not change smacking laws.
- The research was observational and cannot prove smacking causes these outcomes, as other factors may influence children’s development.
- Some experts and campaigners want a legal ban to protect children from physical punishment.
- Others argue that parenting requires setting clear boundaries and that smacking is part of teaching children right from wrong.
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