Because the research on physical punishment is clear: it is unnecessary and is associated with a long list of NEGATIVE consequences. For example, although proponents of “spanking” argue that if you don’t spank, the child will not learn to behave properly, the research actually suggests the opposite. Children who are spanked, when compared to their non-spanked peers, are, among many others:
1. more likely to use aggression against their peers
2. less likely to internalize rules
3. more likely to engage in criminal activity during adolescence
4. more likely to engage in domestic abuse as adults
5. more likely to suffer from depression
and on and on and on.
Photo taken from http://www.ethicsoup.com/children/page/2/
From the article: "65% of 3 year-old children were spanked at least once by their parents during the previous month." This seems high to me, which makes me wonder if there is a sample bias.
ReplyDeleteOBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to examine associations between maternal and paternal use of corporal punishment (CP) for 3-year-old children and intimate partner aggression or violence (IPAV) in a population-based sample.
ReplyDeleteMETHODS The study sample (N = 1997) was derived from wave 3 of the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study. Mother and father reports regarding their use of CP and their IPAV victimization were analyzed. IPAV included coercion and nonphysical and physical aggression.
RESULTS Approximately 65% of the children were spanked at least once in the previous month by 1 or both parents. Of couples who reported any family aggression (87%), 54% reported that both CP and IPAV occurred. The most prevalent patterns of co-occurrence involved both parents as aggressors either toward each other (ie, bilateral IPAV) or toward the child. The presence of bilateral IPAV essentially doubled the odds that 1 or both parents would use CP, even after controlling for potential confounders such as parenting stress, depression, and alcohol or other drug use. Of the 5 patterns of co-occurring family aggression assessed, the "single aggressor" model, in which only 1 parent aggressed in the family, received the least amount of empirical support.
Reference is located here:
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/126/3/415
That's a pretty big sample.
Hi Laura,
ReplyDeleteI am creating a documentary on spanking and am trying to create short clips for fundraising. Here is a sample: http://robbynpeters.wordpress.com/interviews/
I'm wondering if you have photo rights to this picture of the child hitting a doll. I need compelling pictures. Check out our trailer and the clip to get an idea.
Thank you for any help you can offer!
And bravo to you for you educational site. That is wonderful.
Warmest thanks,
Robbyn Peters Bennett
Research has shown even another negative consequence of spanking. Children who are spanked actually lose intelligence, with their IQ's dropping:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ethicsoup.com/2009/10/spanking-kids-are-struck-dumb-lower-iqs.html
There are many countries which have made spanking illegal and ban such punishment:
http://www.ethicsoup.com/countries-where-spanking-is-banned.html
Sweden was the first country to make it illegal and that was 32 years ago now:
http://www.ethicsoup.com/2009/10/spanking-is-illegal-sweden-celebrates-30year-national-ban-.html