What science says about smacking as government has 'no plans' for total ban

Marie-Claire Dorking
·Contributor
Updated ·6-min read
Smacking children is a divisive issue. (Getty Images)
Leading children's doctors are calling for a total ban on smacking in England. (Getty Images)

Calls to ban smacking and other forms of physical punishment against children in England have failed to receive government support.

Earlier this month leading children's doctors urged the government to consider a complete ban on smacking in England, arguing there is no evidence it has any positive effect on children's wellbeing.

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) said "science doesn't back smacking children" and could put children at risk of "really significant physical harm".

According to the Children Act 2004, it is unlawful to hit your child, except where it is "reasonable punishment", and this is judged on a case-by-case basis.

But the College wants England to follow Wales, Scotland and other countries who have banned smacking and is encouraging an amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill which would remove the "reasonable punishment" defence from law in England.

However, education minister Stephen Morgan has responded to the calls explaining that while the UK government is "looking closely" at the legal changes made in Wales and Scotland, it has "no plans to legislate at this stage" for England.

Mr Morgan added the Government wants to "look at the evidence" before taking such a "significant legislative step".

While many people find the idea of physically punishing a child in any shape or form unacceptable, others take the view that, in certain circumstances, it can have a role to play in helping to shape children's future behaviour.

"For generations, smacking was considered a standard way to discipline children," explains educational psychologist, Dr Patricia Britto. "Many adults today remember being smacked as kids and believe it helped them learn right from wrong. However, modern research, including neuroscience evidence, shows that smacking doesn’t work the way people think.

"Instead of improving behaviour it can make children more aggressive, harm their mental health, and even change the way their brains develop."

Scientists have studied thousands of children to understand how smacking affects them in the long term. One recent study, from University College London (UCL) tracked over 8,000 children and found that those who were smacked at age three had more behaviour and emotional problems by the time they were teenagers.

"The research also found that children who are physically punished are also at increased risk of being subjected to more severe violence," Dr Britto adds.

There is also some scientific evidence that physical punishment could have a link to mental health problems.

"The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health reports that children who experience physical punishment are nearly three times more likely to develop mental health disorders, such as anxiety and depression," Dr Britto explains.

While further research from the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Michigan, using data on more than 150,000 children over a 50-year period, also linked spanking to aggression, antisocial behaviour, mental health problems, cognitive difficulties, low self-esteem and other negative outcomes.

Little girl being disciplined. (Posed by model, Getty Images)
Smacking can be a divisive subject. (Getty Images)

Dr Britto says recent advances in neuroscience have given us even more insight into why smacking can be harmful to children. "Brain imaging studies show that children who experience physical punishment have changes in the areas of the brain responsible for decision-making, emotional regulation, and impulse control," she explains.

"When a child is smacked, their brain activates the 'fight or flight' response. This releases cortisol, a hormone linked to stress. In small doses, cortisol helps us react to danger, but repeated exposure, like being smacked often, can change how the brain develops."

High cortisol levels over time can shrink the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for problem-solving, impulse control, and reasoning.

"This means children who are regularly smacked may struggle with emotional regulation, making them more likely to react aggressively or have difficulty managing frustration," Dr Britto adds.

Harvard research shows that smacking alters a child’s brain response in ways similar to severe maltreatment and increases the perception of threats, leading to lasting consequences.

Boy looking sad.
Some experts say there is compelling evidence to ban smacking. (Getty Images)

According to Fiona Yassin, family psychotherapist, and founder of The Wave Clinic while some parents may see smacking as a "quick-fix" solution, in reality it can have long-lasting consequences that carry through to adulthood.

"If a parent has resorted to smacking, it’s often because they feel they have lost control of the situation, she explains. "Smacking a child can give an adult a short term sense of power and release. However, it does not help the child to understand what they have done wrong and why they were hit - it simply instils fear in them."

Whatever you views on smacking Yassin says there are some healthy ways parents can discipline their children.

"Parents can teach children what’s right from wrong with calm words and actions, and role model behaviours they would like to see in their children," she suggests. "It is helpful for children to have clear and consistent rules to follow and it’s important these are delivered to the child in an age-appropriate way with clear language they can understand."

Active listening is also incredibly important for parents: "Be open to questions from your child and hear them out when they want to be listened to," Yassin adds.

It’s also helpful for parents to understand that whilst they may think their child’s behaviour is disruptive, it could be developmentally appropriate.

"For example, a young child in a high-chair who throws food on the floor may not be intentionally disruptive, instead they may be exercising intrigue in food and wanting to explore different objects and textures," Yassin explains.

Two thirds of parents are in favour of a ban on smacking in England. (Getty Images)
Experts argue there are healthier ways to discipline children. (Getty Images)

Child protection groups argue that the science speaks for itself and suggest it is used to back a complete ban on smacking in England.

And it seems there is support from many parents with research highlighting a shift in public opinion on the subject in recent years. A 2024 YouGov poll carried out on behalf of the NSPCC found that 71% of adults in England now believe smacking is unacceptable - up from 67% the year before.

Younger parents are leading the change, moving away from physical punishment and choosing discipline methods backed by science.

"As more parents turn to nonviolent discipline strategies, we are moving toward a future where children grow up feeling safe, supported, and emotionally healthy," Dr Britto concludes. "Teaching children right from wrong should come from guidance and understanding - not fear."

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