YouGov polling from NSPCC shows:
- 81% of parents with children under 18 in England believe physical punishment is unacceptable.
- 82% of young adults (18–24 years old) agree, showing a sharp rise from 64% in 2023.
- 73% of parents and 85% of young adults say physical punishment harms children's mental health.
- 71% of all adults surveyed believe physical punishment is unacceptable.
- 59% of parents support changing the law to ban physical punishment.
- NSPCC says current legislation is out of step with public opinion and urges the Government to remove the ‘reasonable punishment’ defence in England and Northern Ireland.
In response to the data, RCPCH Officer for Child Protection and Consultant Paediatrician, Professor Andrew Rowland, said:
This latest research makes it clear that physical punishment has no place in modern parenting. Health professionals stand firmly with parents and young people in recognising that physical punishment is not only outdated and unjust, but also harmful to children's health and wellbeing.
It increases the risk of adverse mental health, serious physical harm, and behavioural problems in childhood. Evidence also shows it can damage parent-child relationships and contribute to greater aggression and violence later in life.
We urge the Government to listen to parents, young people, health professionals and the wider public and to finally remove the outdated and unfair ‘reasonable punishment’ defence. England and Northern Ireland must follow the example of Scotland, Wales and 66 other nations around the world and ensure children are fully protected under the law. It is time to put children’s wellbeing first.