This article discusses the issue of physical punishment of children in New Zealand society and examines how policy reflects the attitudes and belief systems of a society. Using the example of Sweden's law change on physical punishment, the author suggests that policy change can result in attitude shifts within belief systems. The results of My Wilkstedt's master's thesis, "The Physical Punishment of Children in Sweden and New Zealand" (2005), are discussed to illustrate that use of physical punishment by parents is upheld by various components. These include the general acceptance of violence, poor role modelling over violent expression in the home, a conceptualisation of the parent-child relationship built on control, and inadequate child development knowledge. Strategies for change are suggested so that New Zealand can move towards more positive ways of parent-child relationships in the area of child discipline.

Childrenz Issues 10(1) 2006 : 40-42