A third of parents want right to smack children

ONE-in-three parents believe they should have the right to smack their children, a state-funded study has revealed.

While 42% of parents said smacking should be outlawed, a majority are unsure about imposing a total ban.

Almost a quarter of parents said a ban should depend on the child’s age, with most believing smacking of children younger than five and older than 10 years of age should be prohibited.