Spanking is perhaps one of THE most strongly debated parenting issues out there and I can pretty much guarantee that no matter how I approach this subject someone will take offense or feel judged by it.
So, just in case -
Disclaimer: I am not judging YOU. In fact, my consideration towards the act of judgment is that it results in a shut down of the free-flowing exchange of information and alternatively opens up the gate to tension, polarization and insensitivity. My goal in this post is to offer information that I have gathered – I urge every parent to use this as a catalyst to learn more.
Discipline is one component of proficient parenting and every family (and each parent) has a unique way of teaching what is/is not acceptable conduct.
In the United States
cor·po·ral pun·ish·ment
a form of physical punishment that involves the deliberate infliction of pain as retribution for an offence, or for the purpose of disciplining
**for the research referenced below corporal punishment signifies non-injurious, openhanded hitting with the intention of modifying child behavior
These numbers shouldn’t be all that surprising, after all, us parents learn how to parent from our own parents and in the United States
Fortunately, tradition transforms over time as the understanding and knowledge of a society is advanced and broadened. Unfortunately, societal change typically occurs at a much slower rate then the contribution of data is accumulated.[*]
The knowledge base of corporal punishment on children has grown over the last several decades building upon hundreds of research studies in several diverse fields: psychology, medicine, sociology, social work and education.[*]
What does the large majority of research reveal regarding discipline that incorporates CP?
Putting Kids at Greater Risk
The vast amount of data that has been accumulated over all disciplines supports that corporal punishment (physical discipline, spanking) is no more effective than other forms of punishment. Most importantly, not only it is no more effective but this form of correction exposes the child to added adverse effects.[*][*]
In an unprecedented degree of consistency, 94% of the 117 tests reviewed in an 88 study meta-analysis confirmed that CP is associated with an increase in harmful side effects (these studies controlled for ‘parental warmth which illustrates that CP is harmful even when it is performed by loving parents): [*][*][*]
Increase in:
Aggression
Delinquency in childhood
Crime (as an adult)
Antisocial behavior
Depression
Anxiety
Physical aggression toward parent(s)
Physical aggression toward dating partner
Sibling rivalry
Vulnerability to stress
Decrease in:
Empathy
Parent-child relationship
Cognitive development/abilities
Scores in educational achievement
Language comprehension
Self-esteem
I understand not every child who is spanked or slapped for discipline purposes will develop all, or any, of the above negative outcomes listed – however, it is abundantly apparent that corporal punishment places a child at risk for both short and long tem negative effects.[*][*]
The Immediate Need to Adjust Behavior in Safety Scenarios
Effective discipline can be analyzed in three time periods: immediate, short-term (hours/days) and long term (months/years).[*]
There remains a consensus that spanking is the most effective means in stopping misbehavior in an immediate need. In fact, this is one of the main listed benefits in using CP.
For example, if your child repeatedly grabs pots off the stove or is baiting his/her luck running into traffic - safety is paramount and if spanking works best, then this might trump any future adverse risk(s) that may or may not come to fruition.
If corporal punishment is effective when other methods fail in this instance, it would debatable to eliminate spanking. However, tremendous evidence exist from short-term prospective studies on this particular issue that show this is not the case.[*]
This may not be all that surprising, but, when it comes to toddlers, research shows that every mode of discipline has a high short-tem failure rate. This is because it takes a great deal of time and many repetitions for standards in behavior to be internalized.[*][*]
But when it comes to spanking, at least two other factors interfere with it being the best choice.
1 Interference of Cognitive Function
For a young child, being struck by a parent is a frightening event. The negative emotions felt be young children (sadness, anger, humiliation, shame, fright, stress, etc.) are able to result in cognitive deficits which impede learning and may be one explanation for the elevated failure rate among spanking in the long-term.[*][*]
2 Absences of Explanation, Strategy, & Resolution in Conflict Situations
Parents may offer an explanation along with corporal punishment which may reduce adverse effects however, they are not eliminated.[*]
Consider what a child is denied when a parent resorts to spanking as a form of discipline: The opportunity for the child to observe and participate (age-appropriately) in resolution strategies that are important to learn in future life situations are diminished (such as explanation, creating appropriate alternatives, and compromises).[*]
But Why Do Most Parents Think Spanking is More Effective?
Perception
Children who were spanked had an increase in misbehavior two years later, whereas children who were not spanked had a decrease in misbehavior.[*][*]
When a child throws a toy at their brother or sister and the parent explains that the behavior will not be tolerated and places them in time out…. the child does it again a few hours later – the ineffectiveness of time-out is attributed to the repetition of behavior.
But if the child is spanked and required to be spanked again it is not perceived as being ineffective – instead, it is indicated that the child merely needs spanked again.
However, the existing literature overwhelming supports the understanding that all methods of discipline, including CP, have a high failure rate in young children.[*]
Repetition of spanking a child will result in compliance – as will other discipline methods.
The consistency and persistence used by parents that support spanking are precisely right but unfortunately they are applying a method that has increased risk of harmful side effects.
In fact, the majority of studies completed demonstrate that spanking does not have the effects parents intend; rather it has the reverse effect of increasing undesirable behaviors.
Parents may perceive CP as effective, if not more then other discipline methods because they are not informed of the possible long-term effects. (see above)
Now – all methods of discipline are likely to carry side effects; in fact, the end-goal to discipline is behavior modification. However, there are tremendous amounts of evidence illustrating that the side effects associated with spanking is not something a parent would desire. (again, see list above)
This underscores the urgency for professionals that work with parents to advise them of the detrimental consequences coupled with spanking/ hitting a child which is supported by research.[*]
The American Academy
 |
If a person is more affluent and better educated,
they are less likely to support corporal punishment
in children (Source: 2003 TGI Brasil)
|
Should There Be a Ban on Spanking?
Using the world as a compass
Beginning with Sweden
Corporal punishment in homes and schools remains constitutional in the United States
Conclusion
I do find it ironic that the research illustrating the risks of CP is largely gathered and published in the United States, however the data is informing legal and policy changes in other countries around the world before it has any impact here.[*][*]
There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that every parent is doing the best of their ability with the resources available to them.
I hope the information presented here facilitates just one parent that uses corporal punishment to consider learning more about other means of discipline that may carry less risk to their child(ren).
"Violence against children, including corporal punishment, is a violation of the rights of the child. It conflicts with the child' s human dignity and the right of the child to physical integrity. It also prevents children from reaching their full potential, by putting at risk their right to health, survival and development. The best interests of the child can never be used to justify such practice" [*]
-UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, Kyung-wha Kang
Some resources for learning more about effective discipline:
Cassandra Deas and Eboni J Baugh
CWLA (Child Welfare League of America
Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health
1998
Family Education Network Website (Pearson Education, Inc.)
Elizabeth O Cooper
