Coronation Street hit the headlines this week when Owen Armstrong smacked his stepdaughter in Monday night’s episode.

Smacking children has always been a controversial and emotive subject. MP John Cumming was quoted as saying that it is better that a child is disciplined than to grow up ‘untamed’. I believe that there are far more effective ways of disciplining a child.

All children need clear boundaries and positive parenting ensures that children are clear about what constitutes acceptable behaviour at every stage of their development. At every age, from toddler through to teenager, children will push their parents and carers to the limit, but this is designed to test the boundaries, and clear boundaries and consistent sanctions actually help children feel safe; a teenager pushing to stay out late at a party may actually be looking for their parent to say no in order to avoid losing face with their peers by admitting they don’t want to GO.

Smacking a child, on the other hand, is an abuse of parental power on every level, especially if smacking in anger. This is both physically abusive and also shows a complete loss of control, which is frightening for children. Smacking also perpetuates violent behaviour in children – a very negative example of role modelling.

Beating Anger Derby has developed a programme called Powerful Parenting which helps equip parents with practical tips for positive parenting, putting them back in the driving seat.