Many Baby Boomers would remember grabbing the wooden spoon to smack their misbehaving child on the bum but nowadays that type of discipline is heavily frowned upon, with one dad even ending up in court recently for smashing his daughter’s phone during a disagreement. In a case which was labelled by a judge as “a waste of time”, the father was charged with assault and intentionally destroying the device as he tried to discipline his child in the only way he thought possible.
Speaking about the case on 2GB on Friday, host Ray Hadley explained it allegedly all began when the daughter lied about eating chocolates in her room and was in turn sent there to think about her actions. The situation escalated from there with the dad eventually following through with his threat to smash her phone – which he paid for – in a bid to teach her a lesson. According to Hadley when speaking in court the father said he was simply being a dad which the magistrate agreed with, claiming the whole case was a “waste of time”.
The incident has sparked the conversation yet again over whether parents and society as a whole are becoming too lenient when it comes to disciplining their kids and why strict parenting has been thrown out the window. For Baby Boomers smacking was expected as a child if they did the wrong thing and this was in turn passed on when they became mums and dads with their own children. But since then things have taken a drastic turn with any form of physical punishment deemed incredibly unacceptable.
As a Baby Boomer himself, having grown up in a vastly different era to kids nowadays Hadley, 64, commended the magistrate for choosing to dismiss the phone smashing case and claimed the options for discipline are quickly running out as people continue to condemn certain actions. “Discipline is very difficult in the modern era with children,” he said on 2GB.
“I guess you’re left with options of taking away privileges like the phone, the Internet, things like that. Things were far different when I was a boy. I’m not saying they were better, they were just different.”
Hadley continued by agreeing the man who smashed his daughter’s phone was just being a dad and was in full agreement that the magistrate made the right decision in not going further with the case against the father. “I have discussed Magistrate Andrew George and I’ve found myself at odds with him … but in this particular case I’m standing on a soapbox cheering for Magistrate Andrew George,” he said. Adding: “I’m glad the magistrate’s called it for what it is, a waste of time.”
The radio host wasn’t alone in his opinion with many others taking to social media to express their opinions. A common theme appeared among the views that “old fashioned respect” needs to return.
“Maybe she deserved it, some kids take advantage of you can’t touch me and refuse to do what they are told,” one person commented on Facebook. “A parent has a right to be a parent.” While another added: “Bring back old fashioned respect.” And a third said: “Finally, a magistrate with some commonsense.”
However, others disagreed claiming the act of smashing a child’s phone could lead to bigger problems in the future. “If you child sees you smashing things in the home, even if it’s ‘deserved’ punishment, what is that teaching the child?” someone questioned. “That when you grow up it’s okay to break a spouse’s belongings to control or punish them? People need to try and see the bigger issues.”
The topic of what is and isn’t an acceptable form of punishment has been around for a while now as the modern world continues to change. Just weeks ago a mum, who left her child with a bruise after smacking her with a wooden spoon, was convicted of common assault and fined $750.
An Ellenbrook mother has been hauled before a court for smacking her nine year old daughter with a wooden spoon. She opened up to #9News this afternoon. @teagansapwell9 pic.twitter.com/76gxT7gedz
— 9News Perth (@9NewsPerth) July 3, 2019
Tania, 35, appeared in Perth magistrates court back in July, over the incident which took place in October 2018 which involved her nine-year-old daughter. The woman had witnessed her child eating old meat out of the fridge meant for the dog that she had specifically been told not to consume and reportedly lashed out in what her lawyer described as a “moment of frustration”.
A bruise formed on the young girl – who apparently has behavioural issues and suffers from ADHD – from the smack which was later seen by another individual who then reported it to the police, according to Nine News. Tania was charged over her actions and, after a difficult nine months, faced court where she received her sentence.
Speaking to Nine News about the incident, Tania defended her actions, claiming she shouldn’t be charged for punishing her child in such a way. Feeling angry and disappointed, the mum said she “hasn’t been the same since” and was crying throughout the interview with police. “I believe that discipline helps our society and our children, they’ve got to learn respect and integrity and you just can’t get away with doing naughty stuff,” she told Nine News. “How do we do that now these days?”