In the US: While no state has an outright ban on parental corporal punishment in the home, a majority of states have prohibited its use in other settings, such as public schools, alternative care, and day care facilities. Major medical and psychological associations, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Psychological Association, have issued policy statements recommending against any physical punishment due to its potential for harm.
In England/some parts of the UK: Section 58 of the Children Act 2004 states that in England, physical punishment of a child cannot be justified as “reasonable punishment” if it results in serious harm. Specifically, this defense cannot be used for offenses including wounding, grievous bodily harm, assault causing actual bodily harm, cruelty to children under 16, or strangulation. Additionally, any physical punishment that causes actual bodily harm cannot be justified as reasonable punishment in civil court proceedings.
In Africa: Laws regarding parental corporal punishment vary significantly across Africa, with twelve countries having completely banned the practice in all settings as of late 2022, including Benin, Cabo Verde, Guinea, Kenya, Mauritius, Republic of Congo, Seychelles, South Africa, South Sudan, Togo, Tunisia, and Zambia, where physical discipline can be prosecuted as assault. However, in many other African nations, such as Botswana, Mauritania, Nigeria, Somalia, and Tanzania, corporal punishment in the home remains legal under defenses like "reasonable chastisement" or "moderate discipline," though it may be prohibited in schools and penal systems. While the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child has urged all member states to outlaw corporal punishment completely, and attitudes are gradually shifting due to advocacy and human rights initiatives, the continent remains divided on this issue with many governments expressing commitments to pursue future bans.
In South Korea: In January 2021, South Korea became the 62nd country to fully outlaw corporal punishment by repealing Article 915 of the Civil Act, which previously granted parents a "legal right to discipline." This amendment, alongside the Child Welfare Act, prohibits parents and protectors from inflicting any physical or psychological pain on children in any setting, including the home. This legislative shift aims to eliminate the misuse of disciplinary rights as a justification for abuse and reflects a national commitment to promoting non-violent, positive parenting.