A recent controversial survey reveals that 63 per cent of Australian adults believe parents should be legally permitted to smack a child with a wooden spoon without it constituting assault, while 78 per cent feel similarly about slapping a thigh that leaves no bruise.

Press PLAY to hear Justin Coulson discuss the smacking debate and parenting

Justin Coulson, founder of Happy Families and parenting expert on Channel 9’s Parental Guidance, told 6PR Breakfast hosts Millsy and Karl that many parents struggle to teach morality, emphasising that it cannot be instilled through physical punishment.

“The idea that it’s okay to use a kitchen utensil, or to slap someone across the face – if I did that in any context other than with a child, that would be assault … If I did that to my wife, if I did that to you on the street, then that would be assault”, Coulson said.

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