19/09/2019
the law is an ass, the law hasn't got a child - is the role of the law to proscribe certain behaviour or set social standards?
the latest Constitutional Court case on spanking of children has left many people - especially parents - up in arms with many feeling that the Court in its ruling is intruding in their private sphere insofar as raising of their children is concern. it is to be noted throughout human history that no society is static: change insofar as it has to do with the dignity of others - especially children being the most fragile and vulnerable members of the society who cannot speak for themselves - is necessary. the role of the court, including the law, is not only to proscribe certain behaviour but also to set standards that aim to make us better members of society. if it was not for the courts women could still be subjected to the treatment and level of children by their partners, black kids could still be attending schools in the townships and ghettos only, women could not have the absolute right and control over decisions concerning their body, there could be no affirmative action, slavery could be the norm. Briefly there are many of ways of disciplining children - spanking is not the recommended way. Let's allow our society to evolve as we have done so in the past. the law is not an ass in the right hands.