I would never discipline my kids by hitting them, but I have no problem with spanking. Have you ever heard or maybe even used that logic? Parents, caregivers, and scientists alike have always debated whether it is right or wrong to use spanking as discipline.
If Shakespeare’s Prince Hamlet could hear the news today, he would say, “To spank, or not to spank, that is the question.” Why? Because after 50 years of research, psychologists have confirmed that spanking children produces similar effects as physical abuse.
Scientists: The Spanking Debate Is Over
In what researchers claim to be “the most complete analysis to date of the outcomes associated with spank… The more children are spanked, the more likely they are to defy their parents and to experience increased anti-social behavior, aggression, mental health problems, and cognitive difficulties.”
Published in the Journal of Family Psychology, the meta-analysis included five decades of research and over 160,000 children. Most of the parents involved agreed that there was indeed a difference between spanking and other abusive behavior.
According to a global UNICEF report from 2014, up to 80 percent of parents spank their children, which researchers have defined as an open-handed hit on the behind or extremities.
On the other hand:
“Physical abuse is characterized by the infliction of physical injury as a result of punching, beating, kicking, biting, burning, shaking, or otherwise harming a child. The parent or caretaker may not have intended to hurt the child, rather the injury may have resulted from over-discipline or physical punishment.”[4]
After reading those definitions, the latter definitely sounds more extreme and serious. So, how different are the two forms of discipline really?
The Truth About Spanking and Physical Abuse
Elizabeth Gershoff, an associate professor of human development and family sciences at The University of Texas at Austin, says:
“We as a society think of spanking and physical abuse as distinct behaviors. Yet our research shows that spanking is linked with the same negative child outcomes as abuse, just to a slightly lesser degree.”
Perhaps the biggest golden nugget Gershoff and her study’s co-author Andrew Grogan-Kaylor mined from their researcher was that “spanking increases the likelihood of a wide variety of undesired outcomes for children. Spanking thus does the opposite of what parents usually want it to do.”
Their findings don’t just apply to childhood either. Researchers even observed the long-term effects of spanking on adults and found that they had higher chances of exhibiting:
- Anti-social behavior
- Mental health problems
- Support for physical punishment for their own children
Chantel, the founder of Earth Based Mom and a victim of child abuse, echoes this study’s findings. She beliefs spanking actually has little (or nothing) to do with the child and everything to do with the parent or caregiver.
“Spanking reflects your lack of self -control,” Chantel says. “The very thing you are trying to teach your child to have, you are inadvertently teaching them the opposite, which is also confirmed in this research.”
So, the next time you find yourself in the crossfire of a spanking debate, remember this study. It might help enlighten others and change their perspective on child-rearing.
The Long-Term Impact of Spanking
Extensive research indicates that the repercussions of spanking extend well into adulthood, affecting various aspects of an individual’s well-being.
Increased Aggression and Antisocial Behavior
Children subjected to spanking are more likely to exhibit aggressive and antisocial behaviors as they grow. A meta-analysis by Dr. Elizabeth Gershoff found significant associations between spanking and heightened aggression in children.
Mental Health Challenges
The same meta-analysis revealed that individuals who experienced spanking in childhood are at a greater risk of developing mental health issues, including anxiety and depression, later in life.
Cognitive Development Concerns
Emerging studies suggest that spanking may negatively impact cognitive development. Research from Harvard University indicates that spanking can alter brain responses in ways similar to severe maltreatment, potentially affecting cognitive functions.
Intergenerational Transmission of Physical Punishment
Adults who were spanked as children are more inclined to endorse and utilize physical punishment with their own offspring, perpetuating a cycle of corporal punishment across generations.
A New Perspective on Discipline
Given the documented adverse effects of spanking, many parents and educators are turning to alternative disciplinary methods that foster positive behavior without physical punishment. These approaches not only mitigate the negative outcomes associated with spanking but also promote healthier parent-child relationships and better long-term behavioral outcomes.
Positive Discipline Techniques
Positive discipline focuses on teaching and guiding children rather than punishing them. It emphasizes mutual respect, understanding the reasons behind a child’s behavior, and encouraging self-discipline. Key components include:
- Setting Clear Expectations: Clearly communicating rules and the reasons behind them helps children understand acceptable behavior. Studies have shown that children guided by firm verbal directives exhibit higher levels of compliance.
- Positive Reinforcement: Acknowledging and rewarding good behavior encourages its recurrence. Research indicates that praise and rewards, when used appropriately, have positive effects on behavior.
- Time-In: Instead of isolating the child as in time-out, time-in involves staying with the child to discuss their behavior and emotions, fostering understanding and connection. This approach helps children learn from their mistakes in a supportive environment.
- Natural and Logical Consequences: Allowing children to experience the natural outcomes of their actions or implementing consequences directly related to the misbehavior helps them understand the impact of their actions.
Effectiveness of Positive Discipline
Research supports the efficacy of positive discipline methods. A study published in Child Psychiatry & Human Development found that parents who participated in Positive Discipline programs reported decreased parenting stress and improvements in their children’s adaptive behavior.
Moreover, the American Psychological Association notes that physical discipline can elevate a child’s aggression levels and diminish the quality of the parent-child relationship. In contrast, positive discipline strategies promote better behavior and strengthen familial bonds.
Turning the Page on Traditional Discipline
The evidence is clear: spanking is not an effective disciplinary tool. Decades of research, involving over 160,000 children, have shown that spanking is linked to negative outcomes such as increased aggression, anti-social behavior, mental health challenges, and cognitive difficulties. These effects often mirror those of physical abuse, highlighting the harm even mild forms of corporal punishment can cause.
What’s more, the long-term consequences of spanking extend beyond childhood, perpetuating cycles of poor emotional regulation and support for physical punishment in future generations. As Dr. Elizabeth Gershoff and her colleagues have emphasized, spanking fails to achieve the positive behavior changes parents seek. Instead, it undermines the very lessons parents aim to teach.
Fortunately, alternative approaches like positive discipline offer a way forward. By focusing on teaching and guiding rather than punishing, parents can foster healthier relationships with their children while promoting respect, empathy, and emotional growth. Techniques such as clear communication, positive reinforcement, and natural consequences empower children to learn from their mistakes in a supportive environment.
As society moves away from corporal punishment, it’s essential for parents and caregivers to embrace these evidence-based strategies. By doing so, they can break harmful cycles and create a foundation for healthier, more connected families. Remember, discipline isn’t about instilling fear—it’s about teaching lessons that last a lifetime.
