Teenage girls guilty of Opotiki teacher's murder

I agree Christopher.

My statements are idiotic in your opinion, Scott? Well, let me explain in a little bit more detail, then. And yes, I am professionally trained in early childhood education. Many of my ideas here are drawn straight from the first term of my child guidance class at the university. Both authoritarian parenting and laissez-faire child guidance practices produce bad results. And so I'm not advocating on behalf of either of those techniques. But there's a middle way - authoritative parenting - where the adult remains in charge, and works to help the child and teach the child, explaining the reasons for the rules, and setting proper limits. Please remember that the word "discipline" is related to the word "disciple" - someone who learns by example. That's the thing that a child care provider should facilitate. I'm sorry to have to point this out, but smacking kids is really not done in a spirit of caring (though the parent may euphemise); I usually see it done by young parents out of exasperation and frustration. Some religious parents I've known have a strong belief in this kind of corporal punishment - and then it is done as a sort of ritual whenever the child gets into mischief; and the parent tries to be as dispassionate as possible. But either way, the results on the child's social development are very saddening to witness. Smacking (or as we say in the States - "spanking") teaches children a very clear lesson that violence is both the way to solve problems, and the way to exert moral authority. That's the clearest thing that a parent is communicating to the child. The parent is unwittingly teaching by example, when she or he hits her child. Thus, we see tragedies like this one. Cause and effect can be traced back to parenting practices. It's not rocket science.

Christopher, you make such idiotic statements. It is when parents do not care, that problems arise. I do not advocate anything more than a light smack - you will be in deep trouble with me if you abuse a child, or old person, or anyone, for that matter. If children do not learn boundaries, that is when problems happen. So, cut the PC crap and show respect to the victims of this crime, not the perpetrators. The sooner we all do that, the sooner everyone will know where they stand.

Well done, Jury - You saw through the defence. You uphold the sanctity of life, of the home. I am sorry you had to listen to the crap of the defence. My condolences to the family - you do not stand alone - many New Zealanders share your grief and anguish.

Please let justice be seen to be done, At least 30yrs-leave
the wet bus ticket out of this one; the so called parents should also be sentenced with these murderers.

I bet those kids were smacked around a lot when they were growing up. That's how kids learn violence. I'm glad John Key isn't bowing to pressure when it comes to the anti-smacking law. There will be a lot less of this in the future, because kids have more protection.