Parents who smack, or spank, their children are abusing the children’s human rights, a high-ranking British official is trying to convince the United Nations. “[P]arents must be banned outright from smacking,” the UK’s Telegraph paraphrased Professor Sir Al Aynsley-Green, Children’s Commission for England (November 29).

Likening corporal punishment to “common assault,” Aynsley-Green said that children and young people needed “the same right to protection under the law”—essentially equating parental discipline with a criminal beating someone in order to steal his wallet.

The Telegraph cited a poll showing a majority of British believe spanking is acceptable discipline. Even UK Prime Minister Tony Blair said, “I think everybody knows the difference between smacking a kid and abusing a child.”

Of course, just because most people believe it to be okay doesn’t in itself make it appropriate. But if common sense can distinguish between non-injurious physical discipline and actual child abuse, why are representatives from a democratic government trying to interfere in the lives of the nation’s families? And their taking that action to the UN is overstepping their bounds all the more.

This power play on the British government’s part is anti-family and anti-authority.

Spanking, done right—that is, not bruising, never administered in anger, and always accompanied by instruction—is an important tool in rearing children according to the biblical model. Administered properly, it is a sign of love (Proverbs 13:24). It helps to teach self-discipline and respect for authority. And that is something this confused world should be crying out for, instead of ignoring the ultimate Instruction Guide from the Designer, Maker and Educator of human life.