“I know it hurts, but it’s for your own good.”
It may be outlawed in some countries, but spanking is still rife in France.
A new survey reveals that French parents believe a good bit of spanking is not bad at all. While the practice is illegal in Sweden, and the European Council promotes a zero tolerance towards the habit, the French refuse any state intervention in the way they educate their children.
95% Of all French, both grandparents and children, say they have been spanked at least once. Over 8 in 10 parents and grandparents consider spanking “not dramatic”, as long as it doesn’t become a habit.
Spanking doesn’t make parents proud, but 77% believe it’s part of a child’s upbringing.
Nearly as popular as spanking is smacking, and one in ten parents still use the “lock in the cupboard” method to discipline their children.
A majority of the French, especially men, are against legislation that forbids corporal punishment. Even two out of three children admit that they would behave like their parents when they have kids of their own.
But one of the interrogated children had a more creative solution: “I would make them wear shorts at home.“
