Resolving the dilemma between corporal punishment and human rights in South Africa

Abstract

English: South Africa’s Constitution protects the fundamental rights of all citizens, including children. The recent Children’s Act and the Children’s Amendment Act criminalise corporal punishment of children by their parents. This article endeavours to describe the dilemma between corporal punishment and human rights in South Africa. It investigates possible democratic approaches to resolving the dilemma and offers deliberative democracy as a possible way to guide discussions on this dilemma. The article evaluates the applicability of deliberative democracy to the case of corporal punishment and human rights and highlights the need to consider alternative strategies to discipline children.Afrikaans: Suid-Afrika se Grondwet beskerm die fundamentele regte van alle burgers, insluitende kinders. Die nuwe Kinderwet en die Kinder Wysigingswet kriminaliseer lyfstraf van kinders deur hul ouers. Hierde artikel poog om die dilemma tussen lyfstraf en menseregte in Suid-Afrika te beskryf. Moontlike demokratiese benaderings ter oplossing van die dilemma word ondersoek en oorlegplegende demokrasie word voorgestel as ’n moontlike wyse om gesprekke oor die dilemma te rig. Die toepassingsmoontlikhede van oorlegplegende demokrasie, in die geval van lyfstraf en mensregte, word verder geëvalueer en die behoefte om alternatiewe strategieë te oorweeg om kinders te dissiplineer beklemtoon.