LONDON - British lawmakers voted overwhelmingly Tuesday against a ban on spanking children.

The ban was rejected by 424 votes to 75 votes.

Prime Minister Tony Blair's government has not supported a full ban, saying the legislation would intrude into family affairs.

"There is a world of difference between a light smack and violent abuse," said Minister for Children Margaret Hodge.

"A total ban on smacking could potentially criminalize most parents in this country," Hodge added.

Instead, ministers have proposed legislation that would allow mild smacking but also make it easier to prosecute parents who physically or mentally abuse their children by spanking. That proposal will be voted on later.

Several European countries, including Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark and Austria, have made all physical punishment of children illegal. Earlier this year, the Supreme Court of Canada upheld a law allowing parents to spank their children, but also set guidelines outlining "reasonable limits" to the act.
http://www.cbc.ca/stories/2004/11/02/spankuk041102
I'm movin across the pond damnit -_-;

seriously. now if only the US would take a lead from the UK and take a step or two back. -_-; heh, i see the future of the US now.. a nation full of assholes that grew up never being punished. -_-;

omg i was spanked when i was little and im fine i dont think it is "wrong" and like sledge said if spanking was outlawed a group of unruly little undislplined bastards would rule the world and so many parents would be put in jail for this "crime"

pfft, i was more than spanked when i was young

yeah...that is what it wrong with kids these days...no one is DISCIPLINED anymore...when i did something wrong...my dad beat my ass XD

Hee, I was spanked only a few times when I was little and it didn't affect me adversely, sometimes it does need to be done.