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Lobby group Family First is taking heart from new research suggesting a smack with an open hand does not harm children, or lead them to become aggressive or antisocial.
The Dunedin multi-disciplinary study, which has tracked 1000 children since 1972, found parents who were lightly smacked as children tend to handle their own kids in much the same way.
Family First spokesman Bob McCroskie says it is evidence the anti-smacking bill should be dropped.
McCroskie says the home-grown research shows a smack with an open hand does not do harm and can even be beneficial.
McCroskie says there is a huge difference between a light smack and child abuse and most parents are aware of that.
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