AZE.US
A new rule in Azerbaijan imposing fines for violence against children has opened a wider public debate over where discipline ends and abuse begins.
Under the new regulation, parents and teachers may face a fine of 200 manats for using physical or psychological violence against children. The measure targets behavior that has often been defended in everyday life as “discipline” or “upbringing,” but which is now being treated as a legal violation.
The issue has drawn mixed reactions in Baku.
Some residents say the rule is necessary and should have been introduced long ago. They argue that children should not be hit, humiliated or pressured by adults, whether at home or in school.
One woman, who said she is a teacher, told local media that children should be guided in healthier ways.
“I do not like pressure on children at all,” she said. “There are better ways to guide them. I have children at home as well, and I have never used pressure against them.”
Supporters of the measure say the fine is not only about punishment. It is also a signal that a child is not the property of parents or teachers, and that violence cannot be justified as a form of education.
Some residents even said the 200-manat fine is too low and that stronger penalties may be needed in cases of abuse.
Others, however, were more skeptical. They said the law could limit the role of parents and teachers and make it harder to maintain discipline. Several people argued that not every raised voice or strict reaction should be treated as violence.
One resident said teachers usually do not shout “for no reason” and that children’s behavior must also be taken into account. Another said parents should still have the right to raise their own children without excessive state interference.
The debate reflects a broader tension in Azerbaijani society. Traditional views of discipline still hold influence in many families, while child protection standards are increasingly pushing the conversation in a different direction.
Critics of the new rule also questioned whether a fine alone can solve the problem. They say violence against children is often linked to deeper issues inside families, including stress, poverty, unresolved conflict and a lack of parenting support.
Still, the new rule marks an important shift. It puts the focus not only on the authority of adults, but also on the child’s right to safety at home and in school.
For now, the question remains deeply sensitive: when does discipline become violence? Judging by the reactions in Baku, Azerbaijani society has not yet reached a single answer.
AZE.US