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Source: ONE News -
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An Auckland mother of two is standing by her decision to initiate a controversial referendum on the law that outlaws smacking.
Nearly three million New Zealanders will soon get the opportunity to vote in the postal referendum which has polarised public opinion from the start.
The law aimed at protecting children drew opposition from many
parents when it was passed two years ago.
Some parents said giving your child a smack is all right, and that parents don't need legislation to decide how they bring up their kids.
Sheryl Savill agreed. Her efforts saw 300,000 Kiwis sign a petition forcing the first ever citizens initiated referendum conducted by post.
The referendum question is should a smack as part of good parental correction be a criminal offence in New Zealand?
The highly contentious referendum question has copped flak for being hard to understand and also opened Savill's own parenting up to scrutiny on Sunday morning's Q + A programme on TV ONE.
Interviewer Paul Holmes put to Savill that the problem with smacking is that most times it would happen in anger.
"When parents smack in anger that is wrong and we have to be careful," said Savill.
"And I think education on it is a big issue."
She says she used a simple smack on the hand or the bottom.
But others are keen on an anti-smacking message.
"I think you teach them you can control them better because you're bigger and you can hit harder," says one parent.
The government is not bound to act on the results of the referendum. And in the past, those not held alongside general elections have seen low voter turnouts.
But Savill believes things will be different this time.
All registered voters are eligible to vote and ballot papers will start arriving at homes around the country from next weekend.
Voters have three weeks to have their say on an issue that could affect the next generation and the parents they become.
