A Ban on Smacking isn’t Just an Attack on Families, it’s an Assault on Freedom
In case you missed it — you probably did — the Green Party in Scotland want smacking outlawed and fathers who discipline their children to be convicted for assault.
A Bill proposal was submitted for consultation by John Finnie, member of the Scottish Parliament. The new law has one aim: to make smacking a criminal offence. (See the proposal here).
In the course of the consultation document, former police dog handler John Finnie MSP says this:
I want Scotland to be among the most progressive, socially just, and equal nations in the world…. That’s why I’m launching this consultation to outline proposals for a Bill to provide children with equal protection from assault. If — and when — we do so, then I believe that Scotland really can take its place among the most progressive and socially just nations of the world.
This all sounds great — protecting children from assault, social justice, equality. That’s something everyone can get behind.
Or is it?
Look a little deeper into what these proposals mean and you’ll see something more sinister at work where the very freedom, privacy and rights of the family unit are under threat. This happens while Scotland lurches towards a totalitarian political system and the end of liberty.
Calling Physical Discipline of Children ‘Assault’ Criminalises Thousands of Fathers
While a ban on physical discipline suggests the aim to be the protection of children, the real outcome will be the criminalising of thousands of Scottish Dads.
These are men who love their children and want the best for them. Men who would willingly give their lives for their children if needed.
But these men are also Dads who understand their responsibility in raising valuable and respectful citizens — boys and girls who will grow up to be law abiding, members of society.
The decision whether to smack or not is a personal one and the research as to whether it is detrimental or not is less clear cut than Finnie’s supporting research would suggest.
Whichever side of the fence you are on, fathers demand more respect that being branded as wholesale child abusers for raising their children in the best way they can.
Government Interference in the Family is the Start of Totalitarianism and the End of Liberty
Where is the one place the State can do the most damage to its citizenry and in particular, children: By interfering in the privacy and sanctity of family life.
The establishment of a totalitarian utopia depends on the triumph of the state over all aspects of its citizens’ lives.
But now, in Scotland, after the (so far) successful defence against the poorly thought out and snooping ‘Named Person’ Act, the leprous hand of the State is reaching through the letterbox of family life once again.
If you’re opposed to smacking out of principle, then this is important for you to understand: This latest infringement on the liberty and privacy of families is not the end, it is the thin end of the wedge.
How long will it be before you are unable to enforce sanctions such as ‘no screen time’, ‘grounding’ or any other restriction of privileges?
And if your children are abusive and violent towards you or your partner, what then? Do you meekly watch in case you end up a criminal for enforcing discipline in your own home?
Once reasonable choice and decision making is taken away from the individual and given to the state, we enter into a Nietzschean world of made up values and beliefs controlled by strangers in ivory towers.
As men of our time, we must act as the custodians and leaders of our households on the basis that politicians and lawmakers serve the people, not the other way round.
The Bill Makes no Allowance for Parental Discipline as practised by Religious Minorities
In Scotland, there is (currently) a right for religious minorities to practice their faith without harassment or persecution.
However the Greens have often pushed the boundaries of what I would consider religious tolerance.
Regardless of the kind of secularised country the Greens would like to set up, there are members of religious minority groups in Scotland who believe that it is their divine right responsibility to raise their children faithfully and in a way consistent with their faith.
This would apply to members of traditional Christian communities as well as some Scottish Muslims.
I asked my friend Nabeel Azeez, host of Becoming The Alpha Muslim podcast, for his thoughts on the issue. Here’s his take:
Muslims are religiously permitted to discipline their children via light smacking in limited situations for failure to perform their religious obligations. The situations where striking is allowed are differed on. However, all agree that the striking should not cause physical harm to or humiliate the child. To discipline without striking is best, as the Prophet Muhammad never struck a child; his own or others’.
Any nod in the proposal to religious minorities is glib, indicating a desire to bring us wayward religious nutters into line with the dominant liberal socialist ideology of the elites through re-education.
Fathers Demand Freedom
Instead of vilifying and criminalising great swathes of the electorate (Not a smart move I may add. Ask the Democrats who supported Hillary Clinton how that went), the law makers and police would be better served tackling real instances of abuse and assault against the vulnerable.
Like protecting the thousands of vulnerable girls who are or have been victims of grooming and rape gangs in the north of England and other places. In both Rotherham and Rochdale, both police and politicians turned a blind eye while thousands of girls were repeatedly raped for years.
Or taking steps to reduce violent crime against men.
Or finding out how deep into celebrity and political culture pedophilia and child abuse goes.
Dads aren’t the enemy. We’re not even the problem. We’re the answer and the solution. Don’t make us into criminals.
P.S. If, like me, you’re convinced out modern times need strong fathers, you’ll like my new book which is out later this year on Kindle. Sign up here for news.
