Discipline of Children

Corporal Punishment

For a time, in the West, corporal punishment was seen as a way to civilize, moralize, educate, and correct “bad” behavior in children. For some, corporal punishment continues to be seen as the duty of good parents and teachers, and part of proper household governance. Some continue to believe that corporal punishment is an effective tool in correcting bad behavior, reinforcing respect and obedience, protecting children from harm, teaching life lessons, and preparing them for life's challenges, and is a sign of caring. Opponents of corporal punishment have argued that spanking is immoral, potentially abusive, demoralizing, and ineffective in correcting misbehavior. The Coalition on Physical Punishment of Children and Youth, a national coalition of organizations concerned with the well-being of children and their families, has noted that there is no clear evidence of any benefit to using physical punishment with children, and that it is linked to weaker internalization of moral values. There is also evidence that it places children at increased risk of physical injury.

A study conducted in the United States and Canada noted that most parents want more information [Page 293]on child rearing, including discipline, but few pediatricians discuss it. The study found that 38.4 percent of parents reported using the same discipline that was used when they were children, while 54.2 percent did not. Parents who experienced spanking or yelling in their childhood were more likely to use those techniques on their own children. One-third viewed their disciplinary efforts as ineffective.

In the Joint Statement on Physical Punishment of Children and Youth, coauthored by Joan Durrant, Ron Ensom, and The Coalition on Physical Punishment of Children and Youth, recommends that parents receive more and better parenting education, as studies have shown that parents with knowledge of child development are less likely to interpret a child's drive for independence and testing as bad behavior. In contrast, a parent whose sense of control is believed to be threatened by a child's behavior or who sees the child's behavior as an intentional challenge to parental authority is more likely to use physical punishment. Increased education on child development may help parents feel less frustrated, and less likely to respond emotionally to a child's misbehavior. Some studies have shown that physical punishment often results in short-term compliance and, potentially, longer-term, negative behavioral outcomes.

...