Sweden bans the birch
From the “Economist,” London Since July 1, it has been a crime for a Swedish parent to slap a child. The new law, adopted in March by a vote of 259 to six in the Riksdag (the Swedish Parliament), is not designed to stop brutal treatment of children, which was already a crime in Sweden as in other civilised countries. It prohibits ordinary spanking. One of the Riksdag members who voted against it announced that he would carry on slapping his children when he thought fit, regardless of this “ridiculous law.” Nobody will stop him. The law prescribes no punishment, and even its advocates admit that it is unenforceable. On May 30 the Riksdag approved another law which purports to ban sex discrimination, but likewise provides for no effective penalties. Understandably. some Swedes are troubled by these signs that their laws are losing touch with reality. The introduction of unenforceable laws may eventually bring all laws into disrepute.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19790718.2.113
Bibliographic details
Press, 18 July 1979, Page 20
Word Count
162Sweden bans the birch Press, 18 July 1979, Page 20
Using This Item
Stuff Ltd is the copyright owner for the Press. You can reproduce in-copyright material from this newspaper for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0 New Zealand licence. This newspaper is not available for commercial use without the consent of Stuff Ltd. For advice on reproduction of out-of-copyright material from this newspaper, please refer to the Copyright guide.
Copyright in all Footrot Flats cartoons is owned by Diogenes Designs Ltd. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise these cartoons and make them available online as part of this digitised version of the Press. You can search, browse, and print Footrot Flats cartoons for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from Diogenes Designs Ltd for any other use.
Acknowledgements
This newspaper was digitised in partnership with Christchurch City Libraries.
Log in