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Save the Children research on humanity of children

A couple of weeks ago the Dominion Post published an article on research done on the submissions to Parliament on the anti-smacking debate and concluded that pro-smackers didn't see children as fully human. This complete codswhallop was quickly demolished by ZenTiger here at NZ Conservative.

Now it transpires that Save the Children (a major proponent of banning smacking) was responsible for funding the research. It's a pity that the Dominion Post didn't see fit to mention that fundamental fact and that it needed to be pointed out by a letter to the editor. Here is that letter on page B6 (not even on the main letters page):
Connections are ignored

Children 'not fully human'
you trumpet (April 7-8) about a study involving Victoria University researchers and Save the Children. It concludes that opponents of anti-smacking legislation see children as not fully human.

Your article, however, requires balance to avoid being simple propaganda. Though describing the Family First national director as an opponent of the bill, you neglect to note that the research was funded by Save the Children, which is lobbying for repeal of Section 59.

Likewise, you ignore the connection of some of the university researchers to Epoch New Zealand, the stated aim of which is to end physical punishment of children. That the "researchers" then call for a re-evaluation of how people see children with comparisons to "colonisation" should ring alarm bells. You have done readers a disservice by failing to provide balance to your reporting, particularly when the "researchers" have such predetermined positions. Victoria University should be similarly concerned.

Ross Jamieson
Roseneath

Comments

  1. According to Stuff news today, research shows that people who were smacked as children are more likely to abuse animals later in life!
    Mark twin almost had it right--there are lies, damned lies and.."research"

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  2. Yeah, I was aware of that, and Im sure that STC handpicked these researchers because they were childs rights researchers, and note they do not have PhDs, ther are other researchers they could havepicked with higher qualifications but they dont fit into STCs ideaology...

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  3. Well if you think spoiled petulant brats are fully human then I don't want my children to be like that.

    If your 2 year old undoes their seat belt while on a long drive reason with them to do it back up don't spank them.

    If one clocks the other in the head with a hard toy don't hit them take them out with a bribe for ice cream if they stop......

    And beg them lots too I always want to retch when I see that happen.

    My girls are in a dance troupe and you can tell the children who aren't spanked. 5 miles away, course they are the same ones in daycares too so I'm not sure which is tthe real problem.

    This is about as valid as the benson and hedges research saying smoking is safe.

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  4. Thanks for that Lucyna.
    I contribute to Save The Children, and have been see-sawing on whether to stop donating or not; this might just tip it.

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  5. Nice post, its a really cool blog that you have here, keep up the good work, will be back. Here's my little site I'm gonna blog about Vehicles

    ReplyDelete

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