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Executive Yuan proposes ban on corporal punishment
The Executive Yuan on Thursday approved draft legal amendments that would remove the right of parents to use physical force to punish their children.
The proposed changes to Article 1085 of the Civil Code, which currently states that parents "may, within the limit of necessity, inflict punishment upon their children."
The revised version of the article would instead state that parents should "give consideration to their children's age and level of development, respect their personalities, and not engage in mentally or physically violent behaviour against them."
The amendments, which align with UN guidelines and practices in Japan and South Korea, will now proceed to the Legislature for review. If passed, additional changes to the Protection of Children and Youths Welfare and Rights Act are planned.
The move reflects a growing judicial stance against harmful punishment and aims to significantly impact parenting norms and court rulings.
While corporal punishment is banned in schools, it remains common at home. A 2022 survey revealed that 63% of parents used corporal punishment, and over 62% employed verbal violence.
