England's House of Lords will vote on an amendment that would do away with the parent's traditional right to exercise "" on their children. Under the proposed change, a parent could still employ a "mild smack," but if the blow so much as reddens the child's skin, the parent could go to jail. The new law would also forbid "causing psychological distress to a child."
Prime Minister Tony Blair is opposing the law, but, under pressure from his fellow members of the Labour Party, he has agreed to let it come to a vote.
UPDATE: The lords , 250 to 75. Britain will not join Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark and Austria, who outlaw all physical punishment of children. Posted by Veith at July 5, 2004 09:26 AM