Anti-Smacking Bill

Here in NZ, this bloody issue just won't go away. It continues to unite the nation, and divide the people from our government. There is a website now taking a snap poll, which upon reaching 100,000 votes, will be submitted to parliament.

Do you believe in smacking your children?

A bill has been put to parliament that effectively will see any form of physical hitting toward children - become an offence. It is speculated this bill will not affect parents who currently 'bash' their kids (as its likely this will be largely ignored by those anyway), and has a high chance of prosecuting good people who dicipline their children with well-judged parenting, and smacking being a part of that.

When you get to a moment where a loud pronouced, authoritative voice is needed, what do you do...

a) If your child is determined to play with electrical cords, do you smack? "No! - that's naughty... do not touch!"

b) If your child doesn't eat their (healthy) prepared lunch, and you repeatedly find junk food wrappers in their school bag, do you smack? "I've told you to eat the lunch I give you, and not to eat junk food!"

Thank you for voting on Sue Bradford's bill at www.opinionpolls.co.nz. Day 1 has produced a fantastic response.

Please tell your friends and colleagues to go and vote - if 100,000 Kiwis vote on this crucial issue, the government cannot ignore the results.

If everyone who has already voted tells 20 friends and colleagues about www.opinionpolls.co.nz, then we will achieve those voting numbers - and the result will influence the success or failure of the bill.

Thank you for helping to make a difference.

Opinion Polls NZ