According to a study by the Union of Families in Europe, France is the hiding capital of Europe

   Practically the entire French population suffered a smack as a child and nearly nine out of 10 adults have given one, according to a study Thursday which suggests France is the hiding capital of Europe.

   In addition, nearly a quarter of parents have slapped their children about the face and 10 percent continue to use the "martinet", a small whip, according to the Union of Families in Europe (UFE).

   A survey of 2,000 French grandparents, parents and children carried out by the group found that 95 percent of adults and 96 percent of children have been smacked.

   It found that 84 percent of grandparents and 87 percent of parents have handed out the punishment. Some 58 percent of grandparents said they would occasionally like to give their grandchildren a smack, but only a quarter actually did.

   Some 24 percent of parents said they had slapped their children on the face and more than a half of grandparents. Ten percent of parents said they continued to use the "martinet" and 30 percent of children said they had been punished with one.

   "The figures are certainly impressive. Basically we have all been smacked. Even more surprising is that most people -- even children -- think the smacks they got were fair," said UEF's Marie-Francoise Sabellico.

   According to the study, 62 percent of grandparents, 64 percent of parents and 55 percent of children think that the smacks they received were deserved.

    Asked what their aim was when they dealt a smacking, 77 percent of parents said it was to "bring up" their child and seven percent to "relieve their feelings" and the rest a mixture of the two.

   Some 61 percent of grandparents and 53 percent of parents said they are against a ban on corporal punishment of children -- and many made clear that they do not in any case regard smacking as coming under that description.

   "People get all het up about smacks which -- if they are reasonable and justified -- have never killed anyone. But no-one seems to care about negligent parenting," one father told Le Figaro newspaper.

   Opponents of smacking have won banning laws in several European countries, including Sweden, Germany and Finland. The practice is opposed by the United Nations and the Council of Europe. In France the only related law is one banning violence against the vulnerable.

   "It is scientifically proven that corporal punishment of all kinds harms the child. A smack is never to improve the child and always to relieve the parent," said Jacqueline Cornet of the French campaigning group No Hits No Smacks.

AFP 2007