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Groups gather to support `Spank Out'

Two children wear big paper gloves at an event held in Taipei yesterday to mark International Spank Out Day. PHOTO: WANG MIN-WEI, TAIPEI TIMES

More than 2,000 people from some 400 families rallied on Taipei streets yesterday to support "International Spank Out Day," which was initiated in 1998 by a US group to bring widespread attention to its campaign to end corporal punishment.

Activists from several dozen other Taiwanese civil groups, including Homemakers' Union and Foundation, also took part in the rally -- a walk from National Taiwan University to Daan Forest Park -- sponsored by the non-profit Humanistic Education Foundation (HEF).

HEF volunteers called on parents and teachers in Taiwan not to spank their children or students, while offering educational information to parents and caregivers about non-violent discipline alternatives.

Group members suggested that adults, rather than smacking a child on a sudden impulse, place a phone call for educational consultation, exchange ideas encouraging non-violent solutions -- particularly during periods of anger -- and seek supportive resources in order to prevent resorting to violence.

"Angry" parents and teachers are also encouraged to hit drums, play ball, or clean the house to channel their sudden impulses or dissipate bad moods.

Minister of Education Tu Cheng-sheng (杜正勝), who was among several politicians that were invited by the HEF to offer their "pithy formulas" to beef up "International Spank Out Day," said: "Respect and understand children to avoid treating them violently."

Noting that a little child is still a human being whose individuality should be respected by adults, he said that spanking will actually deal only with superficial problems while leaving the core issues unsolved.

Similar Spank Out Day activities were held in Taichung and Kaohsiung yesterday.
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