KEY POINTS

• According to UNICEF, around 60 countries, including France, Germany, and Japan, have laws banning domestic violence and physical punishment of children.
• In Australia, disciplining children is guided by common law, which permits physical discipline as long as it is deemed reasonable — a concept referred to as reasonable chastisement. However, excessive physical punishment or any form of abuse can lead to criminal charges under child abuse laws.
• Family Dispute Resolution Mediator Donovan Nufable sahares various strategies parents can use to discipline their children without resorting to physical punishment.
• In the Philippines, there have been growing efforts to promote positive parenting and non-violent disciplinary practices through legislative reforms.