Most think it's OK to smack kids

Not all believe smacking is the way to discipline children

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Most adults believe smacking is an acceptable way to discipline children, according to a new survey.

The figure was higher among adults without their own families, 80 per cent of whom said they would support smacking as a punishment if necessary.

But among parents the proportion who smacked their children fell to 67 per cent, the poll for ITV showed.

The survey was conducted ahead of a new ITV1 documentary, I Smack And I'm Proud, which follows five families who smack to discipline their children.

Parents aged 35-54 were most likely to have smacked their children, with nearly three-quarters - 74 per cent - saying they had done so.

The vast majority of the 1,939 adults surveyed said they would oppose any moves to introduce an outright ban on smacking.

The poll found that between 80 per cent and 90 per cent of both parents and adults without families were against a complete ban. Similar proportions said they did not consider a light smack as the same thing as hitting a child, despite the concerns of children's charities.

Many adults were concerned about violence and unruly behaviour among teenagers in public and were worried that a ban on smacking would erode discipline further.

The survey also suggested widespread ignorance about current laws on smacking.

Only 43 per cent understood the law in England and Wales that states that mild smacking is legal but any blow which leaves a mark on a child is illegal and could result in action, the ITV study said.