Corporal punishment has long been a hotly debated subject, with conflicting study results and opposing ideologies feeding the fire. Now the results of a five-year effort to review the scientific literature are in: a task force appointed by the family services division of the American Psychological Association (APA) concludes that “parents and caregivers should reduce and potentially eliminate their use of any physical punishment as a disciplinary measure.”
Psychologist Sandra A. Graham-Bermann of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, who chairs the task force, announced the recommendation in August at the APA’s annual meeting. In a presentation, she explained that the group of 15 experts in child development and psychology found correlations between physical punishment and an increase in childhood anxiety and depression, an increase in behavioral problems, including aggression, and impaired cognitive development—even when the child’s prepunishment behavior and development were taken into consideration.
The task force was not unanimous in its conclusion. Psychologist Robert E. Larzelere of Oklahoma State University argued that the research is flawed and that the evidence against spanking is “faulty.” In the few studies that have compared spanking with other forms of punishment, such as restriction of privileges, grounding and time-outs, all the punitive measures examined resulted in similarly negative outcomes in children, Larzelere said. He recommended that parents use spanking as a backup when gentler forms of punishment are not working. “Premature bans against spanking may undermine loving parental authority,” Larzelere said.
Most members of the task force disagree with Larzelere, however, and stand firm in their recommendation against corporal punishment, which is still used by more than 90 percent of American parents at some point and condoned by more than 70 percent of the population, according to 1995 and 2005 survey data.
Long-time physical-punishment researcher Murray A. Straus, a sociologist at the University of New Hampshire who served as a consultant to the APA task force, pointed out that although the evidence against spanking is in the form of correlations (not direct causal proof), the association is more robust and stronger than the correlations that have served as bases for other public health interventions, such as secondhand smoke’s relation to cancer, exposure to lead and IQ scores in children, and exposure to asbestos and laryngeal cancer. “I am confident we will eventually arrive at the same place for corporal punishment,” Straus said.
The APA is reviewing the majority and minority positions of the task force and will issue its official recommendation at a later date.
Note: This story was originally printed with the title "To Spank or Not to Spank"
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37 Comments
Add CommentChild buttock-battering vs. DISCIPLINE:
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisChild buttock-battering for the purpose of gaining compliance is nothing more than an inherited bad habit.
Its a good idea for people to take a look at what they are doing, and learn how to DISCIPLINE instead of hit.
I think the reason why television shows like "Supernanny" and "Dr. Phil" are so popular is because that is precisely what many (not all) people are trying to do.
There are several reasons why child bottom-slapping isn't a good idea. Here are some good, quick reads recommended by professionals:
Plain Talk About Spanking
by Jordan Riak,
The Sexual Dangers of Spanking Children
by Tom Johnson,
NO VITAL ORGANS THERE, So They Say
by Lesli Taylor M.D. and Adah Maurer Ph.D.
Most compelling of all reasons to abandon this worst of all bad habits is the fact that buttock-battering can be unintentional sexual abuse for some children. There is an abundance of educational resources, testimony, documentation, etc available on the subject that can easily be found by doing a little research with the recommended reads-visit www.nospank.net.
Just a handful of those helping to raise awareness of why child bottom-slapping isn't a good idea:
American Academy of Pediatrics,
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry,
Center For Effective Discipline,
PsycHealth Ltd Behavioral Health Professionals,
Churches' Network For Non-Violence,
Nobel Peace Prize recipient Archbishop Desmond Tutu,
Parenting In Jesus' Footsteps,
Global Initiative To End All Corporal Punishment of Children,
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
In 26 countries, child corporal punishment is prohibited by law (with more in process). In fact, the US was the only UN member that did not ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Good job Strauss... I mean let's never allow the questions answered by the scientific method interfere with your theories. You are pathetic and a great example of the degeneration of American critical thinking... Moron.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe vast majority of professionals agree that child buttock-battering isnt healthy. A marginal few (mostly religious fundamentalists) think that child bottom-slapping is good. They use the same selective literalist interpretation of the Bible as was used to justify witch -burning, depraved torture methods for those accused of sin and heresy, slavery, racism, wife-beating, oppression of women and a host of other social ills.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisDear Editor,
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisAs usual a lot of hot air and little common sense
There is no detail of what is or is not an appropriate spank, therefore what followed was academic!!
In the animal world, if the young are not paying attention or doing something dangerous... then they are appropriately 'spanked' in one form or another! Human young are no different. When the young are being very wilful or entering dangerous situations, they also need to be correctly spanked to break the habit forming.
But how to do it correctly?
Simple: a length of flat timber (1.25" wide, 0.25" thick and about 15 inches long is ideal); held in the hand and swung firmaly against the backside of the child.. ONCE...... after an established three warnings first (or if very dangerous behaviour... smack immediately).
This triggers Pavlov's Orienting/Focussing Response (circa 1910). That is a very sharp stinging sensation on the backside, (NO injuring hand/body momentum as with a hand slap to either child or parent). This suddenly diverts the child's attention and creates an adverse sensation...followed by Classical Pavlov conditioned reflex... new behaviour initiated...and is established after 1-3 times this form of slap is used appropriately.
It is best to start this at about 12-18 months age, coupled with good consistent limit setting by parents at the same time... then after that the mere picking up of the stick works amazingly well.. and you may never have to spank the child again!
My parents did it, my wife and I have done it to three very challeneging children ( now 3 children each with top post grad qualifications) and our children also use the same protocol on their children...AND IT WORKS every time. Properly done once or twice then the mere threat is enough!
As a Primary Care Physican/Nurse/Musculoskeletal-Pain Manager I have seen a lot of ill behaved and naughty children with nasty injuries cased by lack of control generated by the theoretical 'No Spanking' nonsense promulgated by academics!
Dr A Breck McKay
Fifthquadrant Research Group
Brisbane
Australia
fifthquadrantrg@gmal.com
I fully agree with. Dr. McKay.the kind of resaesrch performed is unreliable, because spanking can do ot of harm and lot of good. It depends on the way spanking is done. Spanking must be done to punish the child and for the wrong done by him despite verbal admonishing. Spanking must not be done inconsistently, i.e. same fault should not be condoned and at other times punished, because of the mood of the person punishing. The child must know that the punishment is being done for his good and out of love for him.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisIf punishment is given properly then only a few times of punishment is good enough, because the child has learnt that he gets punished when he is wrong, and not otherwise.
In any case it mus be realized that child ia by and large a bundle of desires and his logical sense has not developed to understand the complexity of life. He demands that his desires must be fulfilled, right or wrong. And he does not understand what is right and what is wrong.
I suppose it depends on the method. My father would spank us, but would first explain to us what we had done wrong and why he had to discipline us. He would hate doing it and would often be seen with watery eyes afterwards. I see lots of parents just ranting and yelling and taking swipes at their kids and don't take the time to talk to them. I'm not saying I agree with corporal punishment, but you can't lump it all in the same category. Other factors could produce the results (which I have to assume were accounted for, but maybe not.) Perhaps the group of parents who use corporal punishment also have a higher chance of being unstable, angry, unsuitable parents.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisMy mom used to use old fashioned guilt as a way to keep us in line. That has had clear effects on all of her children that I think is far worse than corporal punishment.
My children didn't need to be hit to learn right and wrong and don't touch. I was hit -- that is what spanking is -- continually up to the age of 14. I can seen in my life how cramped and fearful I have always been because of patterning to expect violence.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisMy grandchildren and step-grandchildren have not been hit, and I see lovely happy children who are not afraid of their parents.
I am burying my mother next week. It is a tricky thing to work out a eulogy about a famous person who sustained an atmosphere in which it was normal and appropriate for me to be hurt and taught fear.
Why would you spank your child? If you're really interested, go spank your wife.:)
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisAs a person with a great interest in psychology, I tend to observe people quite a bit,
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisand this from an early point in my life. Over the past decade or so I have noticed a decline
in pre-pubescent to late teen behavior. Anything from being impolite to violent crimes
are being observed every day in greater numbers. I as a child was not an angel and I had
my share of spankings. Which in turn taught me that my disruptive behavior came at a price
and was not with out consequence. As time goes on corporal punishment is frowned upon
more and more. Thus one wonders if playing psychologist with our offsprings is resulting
in confusing the child versus teaching him/her good manners. Childrens' intellectual capacities
are equal to those of adults but they lack the knowledge and experience to cope with such
mental exercises. Not that I condone violence but I do believe ONE good, firm
pat on the butt will help deter unruly comportments.
Beautifully said.......
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisAs I observe children out and about, I see many who desperately need a good spanking. Sometimes spanking is just plain necessary.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisIt's lunatic fanatics like you that cloud the issue. I have never received nor inflicted, "buttock-battering." Though I experienced very rare, controlled, non-anger-based, ruled-based corporal punishment as a child. It is the last resort action which every perfect parent should be able to avoid (all perfect parents please stand up!). To villainise and blatantly exaggerate corporal punishment as a criminal act is non-constructive. It attach sexual abuse to is deranged. Please resolve your personal childhood issues before spouting your biases to the world.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisActually, your point might be better made if you changed from, "child buttock-battering," (we're still wondering why only the one buttock) to an even more sensationalist term such as, "Juvenile Gluteus Maximus Terrorizing." You could then coin an acronym, JGMT, and sound even more authoritative...
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisSurprise, surprise. More anecdotal evidence from Soccerdad. Now he wants to tell other people how to discipline their children.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisYa know, as I observe birds "out and about," I have developed a concern over gravitational theory. I'm not going to run any tests or investigate any details of what I saw, but my god will I make my views known.
Reasoning with a child will get you about as far as reasoning with a Liberal. And after you are through, the probability of the house being burned down has not changed one bit.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI for one would rather risk my child's rear than life. But that's just me.
Well, I took the time to read through and consider what everyone here had to say. There are a lot of good points made here on both sides. I do my very best to apply as much reason as possible to a topic like this before forming an opinion. Here's what I have come up with....
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThere are generally three reasons a child needs to be "punished" or "corrected". One is when they do bad things to people. One is when they do something potentially dangerous. And one is when they make bad decisions for themselves.
When my children do bad things, I generally try to formulate an appropriate response that directly applies to the thing they did - such as loss of the cell phone for a period of time for using it inapproproiately.
If they were to do things like steal, vandalize, or otherwise harm people or property, I would bring about any natural consequences I could make happen such as making them turn themselves in for shoplifting (depending on their age of course) or making them repair the damage they have done followed by some additional penalties to make sure they didn't get off too easy.
This leaves things that are dangerous to themselves. Here is a place where I happen to think spanking or slapping a hand would be appropriate as a teaching tool in a toddler. Suppose a toddler somehow got into a drawer and got a box of matches (this of course is the parent's fault). I think a quick smack of the hand while you take the box away is entirely appropriate. It teaches the child that pain is associated with matches - but without having to let your child suffer the "natural consequence" of being burned by them.
Every punishment should be a calculated response and should neatly fit the "crime". Punishing out of anger, fear, and frustration only creates confusion and anger in the child whether it is "corporal" or not. I would not be surprised to learn that "corporal" punishment just happens to be used incorrectly more often than other forms of punishment because they are more likely the result of fear, anger, and frustration and because of that, you would likely see more kids with behavior problems.
I'm in complete agreement with SD_StoneCutter. We now have a society of young adults and kids with very little sense of common courtesy, self-discipline, and they pass their bad habits on to their children. The child-worshippers, as I call them, are fun to watch as they try to "reason" with 2 and 3 year olds, but my two teens are well-behaved, self-disciplined, say thanks, and they were spanked when it was appropriate.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisDr.Breck Mckay makes me want to move to Australia. Thank you for the comments.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisIn the states, we have rampant disrespect and out of control schools because of parents who don't believe in progressive discipline.
If kids aren't polite and have manners, it is only because they didn't have adequate role models. Were the parents away from the house, did the parents not involve themselves and impart their values on the kids. I was always part of my children's lives and they are polite, say yes sir, thank you and don't talk back unless invited to have a discussion with the adults. And have never been hit, my dad spanked me because of what he thought his child beating bastard of a father would think of the way I acted when a rational talking to would have sufficed. I mean, why are we able to pick on helpless children and yet this isn't acceptable for adults, and at what age is the party over, when they can hit back? The only good spanking does for the parent is teach kids that they will forever be under their command for no apparent reason. Most bad behavior can be controlled by a good diet, control of food allergies and if bad enough, medications. Parents who won't carry through with their threats of taking away cell phones, computers, etc and won't spend the time with children (yes it is more tempting to watch the Simpson's than read with the children) use spanking to teach respect rather than earn it. Go figure.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisEvery individual is unique, especially their minds. To assume that all children will respond positively to a single prescribed disciplinary method is naive to say the least. The human condition is one in which we need to learn how to deal with the hardships of life, spanking is prison for children in that it is the most severe punishment allowable (in my case), only resorted to when all other options are depleted. Now I must say this; spanking should NEVER be done in anger, ever. Personally, after trying a couple calm alternatives like distraction or time outs, but the instant I see those not working and I can tell he's being obstinate I give the warning, then follow through if necessary. Spanking should only hurt their pride, and instill embarrassment for their bad behavior. It is a simple punishment reserved only for those situations where nothing else will sink in. As such it requires extra calmness, and a concise explanation and cool-down afterward. Anger has NO place in disciplining children.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI totaly agree.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThank you...by the way, our names...coincidence?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisMy anecdotal evidence supports spanking about as well founded as Straus's correlations support not spanking. She admits there is no real scientific basis for her conclusions. It's just her opinion, which we all have.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThis is a great revelation. Now even the scientists admit weak correlations substitute for objective causal proofs. If the correlation of spanking and negative outcomes is stronger than for second smoke, lead, and IQ, then none of the correlations are as determinative as has been promoted by these nannies in white lab coats.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI have been suspicious and dubious of the science in health and morals for a long time and this positivist goody think is the reason I am so skeptical. I also doubt the data collected, the statistics compiled and analyzed and the agendas of the social scientitsts. It amazes that they confirm their prejudgements in every study. Where is the study that the scientists thought spanking was good but the results contradicted their initial assumptions? Oh, they did not perform that study.
This is great. The correlations with corporal punishment are greater than with second smoke, lead, IQ and asbestos so we must conclude corporal punishment is wrong. To the contrary, I would infer the causations in all these politically correct areas are too weak to support the socially implicated conclusions. This is why I am skeptical of all the science in this area including global warming. These nannies in white lab coats are diminishing their own respectability.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisMy husband and I only used spanking as the very last "word" in our house. For the Most part, we were able to use reason with our daughter. She was taught the cause and the effect of her actions and reactions. The hand full of times we spanked her was in times of danger. One in which she ran out in the middle of a busy road to get her ball. I WANTED her remember the sting on her butt from the spanking, so she would always know that in cases of danger she was to STOP and THINK before she acted out. We would rather have hurt her feelings and backside then see her 6 feet under. I am glad to say shes a LIVING married 24 year old women, who readily states on her own, that the few spankings she received still gave her the life long lesson of always to Stop and think before she did anything rash. Also it should be noted that my Aunt is a child Psychiatrist whom for years would debate me on why I should never spank my child, That was until she had children of her own. She said to me one day, well My dear I have to admit Mother does indeed know whats best and you were right about a well placed swat on the rear. She no believes as I have always said to her that not every child needed to be spanked, but in some children it was a necessary "evil" in order to get them to listen. Her daughter like my own was extremely impulsive to the point of real danger to herself or others, the only time she would really listen to her was when she would give her a smack on her butt. With her son she has never had to do so ,because he is very laid back and listens. She admitted that sometimes science is not always right. ....It should also be noted there is a BIG difference in a spanking and a beating or abuse. A spanking never leaves scars and is rarely used. Abuse always marks the skin and is often applied. A well used spanking is a Teaching tool of last resort. Abuse is never well used and it has lasting mental scars that last a life time. I should know, as I was abused by both my parents and still have the scars on my skin and the ones you cannot see in my head. I know the real difference between the loving protection of your child and the bullying of your child. As my Aunt said Science is not always right. Today we see the product of a over indulged, never say no to me, generation of children and young adults that are narcissistic and borderline on Sociopathic. The neglect of these children emotional needs has done more damage then ,any well placed spanking could ever do.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisDr. McKay,
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisYears ago a read about the pedagogical child rearing techniques of the German people that resulted in the blind obedience mentality of the SS troopers and the likes of Rudolph Hess. A generation of people who did what they were told and never questioned authority.
"How fortunate for those of us in power that people do not think." - Adolph Hitler (attributed)
You would have fit in perfectly with that society.
THIS IS WRONG "The vast majority of professionals agree that child buttock-battering isn't healthy." this study is not true. It is NOT the vast majority of professionals; maybe just the vast majority of crap you read that makes you believe that. If you ever pick up a study that is PRO spanking (which you would not) then you would see its far more a majority then it is NOT too. So stop running around posting that everybody thinks the same way you do. Spanking is needed without a doubt in child development.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI was brought up with a brother and trust me, we as males tested our parents. I remember pushing my father and mother to their limit just to see what I could get away with. Finally after hours of pushing, my parents would spank me, and I would then know thats my limit of what I can get away with. If for some reason they not punish me, then I would have kept at it. The moment my father left, I would RULE the house and abuse the fact that my mother would not spank me, and would only give me a firm talking to. Trust me, you try that on a young male child like I was and I would laugh in your face.
The problem is now-a-days you do not know what a well behaved child is to really understand what good proper spanking can provide. Common sense is you restrain yourself when you punish anything; child or animal, when it does something it should not. Also the VAST majority of youth growing up today are irresponsible; they do not hold to time frames, suffer from an insane amount of diagnosed ADHD and a mass amount of other attention related issues brought about by allowing the child to do whatever it wants. Murder is up, Robbery is up and America is in a CLEAR decline. The crimes are getting committed by younger and younger kids and girls are getting pregnant at all time younger ages. Do not trust me, look at the stats yourself (just remember to read all of it, do not just skim through it like other posters here) again...let me end this as saying I am not just saying crap, I am telling you...I was a hard kid to raise I would have ignored Super Nanny. If you go back and look at the majority of the Dr Phil cases and Super Nanny cases, you will see the kids went RIGHT back to what they were doing. But of course the shows are not going to show you that. Kids (esp males) care less about silly talking. Now, you can discipline a child by only using talking, but in a time crunched lifestyle us Americans enjoy, the majority of parents are not going to spend the needed time with the kids to do that, and that is where the problem lies.
Question. So what of all the people in prison right now, and in many years past, who were spanked as children. Where does that data fit into your theories?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisIn civilized countries (such as Sweden) they are way past this debate. Spanking is illegal, like physical assault on anybody.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisChildren learn what they see; you hit a child, the child learns that hitting is appropriate behavior and that things are resolved with violence. The child that is hit learns to be afraid not to self control. Animals hit their young because they cannot talk. We are doing ourselves a big disfavor if we use animals' behavior with their young as an example of good parenting. Parents resource to hitting because they do not find the time to explain children the reason for the limits and they do not find the time or the patience to follow up with real natural or logical consequences. parents hit their children because they themselves loose control, not the children. Children naturally try to please their parents, they just need attention and love, not hitting. Let's not continue with the cycle of violence. Do we want our children to become wife batterers of children batterers when they grow up? Do we want them to punch their neighbor when he/she does not do what they want? What do we think they are going to learn when we hit them when they hit or throw a tantrum? What do we teach them when we say"Don't hit or I'll hit you?" Do we want our children's fear or their respect? Do we want them to learn not to get caught or to make the right choices? Think about it!!!!!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisChildren learn what they see; you hit a child, the child learns that hitting is appropriate behavior and that things are resolved with violence. The child that is hit learns to be afraid not to self control. Animals hit their young because they cannot talk. We are doing ourselves a big disfavor if we use animals' behavior with their young as an example of good parenting. Parents resource to hitting because they do not find the time to explain children the reason for the limits and they do not find the time or the patience to follow up with real natural or logical consequences. parents hit their children because they themselves loose control, not the children. Children naturally try to please their parents, they just need attention and love, not hitting. Let's not continue with the cycle of violence. Do we want our children to become wife batterers of children batterers when they grow up? Do we want them to punch their neighbor when he/she does not do what they want? What do we think they are going to learn when we hit them when they hit or throw a tantrum? What do we teach them when we say"Don't hit or I'll hit you?" Do we want our children's fear or their respect? Do we want them to learn not to get caught or to make the right choices? Think about it!!!!!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisAs I see it, from a very (w)holistic viewpoint and in the absence of a some in-depth science and clinical evidence based studies, we are ignoring the neurobiopsychosocial aspects of spanking one's child. This does not mean that outright brutality or the parental venting of anger should be acceptable. Establishing a realistic psychosocial relationship through the use of awakening a neural pathway by way of a swift swat on the bottom side establishes a responsible neurobiopsychosocial response that has proven to work. This is where the study should be focused. Leaving out the neurobiological aspects of brain development and the establishment of neural pathways critical to responsible behavior make the study of "spanking" a child incomplete. The action of gaining immediate attention provides the opportunity to much more effectively use rewards and consequences. The long-term positive aspects of this approach, although never really studied in depth, have been shown to work well in practical application. If we need to prove the point, we need to put the neurobiological factors together with the psychosocial factors and structure the studies in that manner. I strongly suspect that the outcome of such studies would reflect the general public opinion that spanking within reason gains the immediate attention needed to be able to apply the rewards and consequences protocol. Well worth studying as I see it.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisCG3001 is right on target. There are far too many "Lemmings" out there that will take the word of someone espousing a piece of "junk science" or shallow studies and believe it....right off the cliff. That is a part of the reason that we have 2.3 million persons in jail or prison in the U.S. That is more than any other country in the world, including China. The Swedes may make spanking illegal but they will pay the price for that in time. As far as I am concerned, if you do not show me some really solid 360 degree science and evidence based proof of what you espouse, I am going to be very skeptical of what you say and the value and level of trust that I might afford you and your statements. Just as I denounced the overall validity of the "Global Warming Hoax", I will denounce other shallow and manipulated "scientific findings" until I see some "real in-depth scientific proof". Stick by your guns CG3001 and continue your skepticism. We need a lot more like you around.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisAs another human being, a mother, a grandmother, a wife, and a pet owner - I do not need psychology to know, that spanking [aka slippering, caning, belting, whipping, birching, paddling, using a wooden spoon, a 'plank', a yard stick, ruler, spatula, etc] a child is wrong. Hitting an adult or animal for any reason is quite rightly, illegal - and children should be afforded the same protection.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisChildren need discipline - which means to learn, and you can only truly learn right from wrong in a calm and gentle environment - not a brutal one where all a child learns is fear of the spanking and not how to know what is correct.
I know many people of my age group were spanked and say they are fine - although in my mind, if said folk then go on to say they will then spank their own children, I don't believe they ARE fine. Spanking is an emotional timebomb for many, having either been terrified by their parents, or humiliated, or even unwittingly sexually abused by being spanked on the bare bottom or worse, naked.
Just because humans have seen fit to spank their little ones over hundreds of years, doesn't make it right. Wife beating, slavery and rape and buggery of 7 year olds in Ancient Rome have all been seen to be abuse and have been banned. It's time spanking was banned the world over.
Here in Europe it's been banned for quite some time - and the children here are not wild or hooligans in the main. No matter what you do - there will always be some. And some of the rudest and nastiest people I have come across in my life, are not children or teens, but people of my own age [56] or even older.
I never spanked my children, and they are now kind, respectful and gentle adults.
As a college student I find myself pondering the type of parenting style I want to live out when I get to have a family of my own. I find that the best way for me to be a parent is to follow the example that my parents set for me. A common way of punishing/teaching ones children is in the form of spanking however I have to consider the negative effects of spanking one’s child. One trend that I have noticed in many of the studies on this subject is the trend of people who were spanked as children spanking their children as adults. This statement holds some truth. As I said earlier when I think about the parent I want to be I look at they way I was parented as an example. Spanking ones child has too many negative effects on the child for it to appeal as a quality parenting strategy.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThere are many other ways that spanking has a negative effect on a child. Spanking a child takes away from teaching a child in a humane way. I consider how I trained my dog. When she messed up I got in her face with a simple tug from an attached leash. After a small amount of conditioning my dog learned what not to do, but I am sure she did not understand why not to do things other than to avoid punishment. That is no way I want to teach my children. Another trend is that children who are hit by their parents have rocky and uncertain relationships. This is evident in the pervious responses of people sharing their personal stories. Of the many negative effects that spanking has on a person it can help for the short term conditioning for a person, until they are old and intelligent enough to understand what they are doing. However I feel that the many negative effects that spanking ones child can have both in the short and long term are enough for me to have a further understanding of the parent I want to become.
This study is such bs! I've traveled the world and spanking is very common in India, the Middle East, and Asia and the kids there seem well adjusted. Not only well adjusted, but very disciplined. If you compare the cognitive skills of the children of foreign parents vs. American children, they will see these children run rings around American children in academics, so obviously spanking has had minimal or if any effect. The problem with studies like these is they don't take a global view. I have a feeling that the subjects in this study were primarily WASP Americans. It does not take cultural aspects into account, such as religion. Religious people, primarily Muslims, Hindis and Christian conservatives, often spank their kids and they are more successful than other kids in most areas except sports and the arts. This study is bogus.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this