Hundreds of parents have been sent on out-of-court parenting courses since the smacking ban was introduced in March 2022, according to a Welsh government report, and "fewer than five" cases had since ...

Children who have had bad experiences of being smacked are more likely to have poor mental health and behavioural problems as they get older, research shows. (Getty Images) Leading children's doctors ...

Michelle Obama has revealed that she previously smacked her two daughters. (WireImage) Former First Lady Michelle Obama has revealed she stopped spanking her daughters because she felt "embarrassed." ...

It is the parenting debate that has rumbled on for decades – is smacking your children wrong? Is a short, sharp shock – perhaps a smack to the back of the legs or bottom – acceptable when all attempts ...

Parents could be banned from doling out physical punishment after researchers linked smacking to a surge in mental health issues in early adulthood. A study by the Australian Catholic University found ...

It’s time for a ban on smacking children in England and Northern Ireland, according to doctors. GoodToKnow deputy editor and mum-of-three Heidi questions; isn't it time we stopped having this debate?

The Queensland Law Reform Commission (QLRC) is reviewing the state's criminal code, which provides a legal defence for parents, carers, and teachers who use physical discipline, so long as it is ...

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or ...

Smacking makes children’s behaviour “worse not better”, according to a new study. US researchers found that the practice makes youngsters "more aggressive". The study, which follows less than a month ...

The lip-smacking vocalizations gelada monkeys make are surprisingly similar to human speech, a new study finds. Many non-human primates demonstrate lip-smacking behavior, but geladas are the only ones ...