Should Spanking Be Considered a Form of Disciplinary Punishment?

Spanking is subjective in the least. Most parents suggest that using spankings as a form of discipline is essential to the development of a compliant child. For most Americans, this truth is one of the core foundations of the American model home. “70% of mothers indicated they had spanked their child at least once by the time he or she was 2-years-old” (Lee, Altschul and Gershoff, 2015.) There are numerous amounts of evidence that point to the certainty that spanking is linked to child aggression. In,

Spanking is a fiercely debated social issue in many countries, such as the US, the United Kingdom, Canada, Israel, and Germany. There are questions over what intensity of pain is suitable until it crosses the threshold into abuse. Up until the mid-20th century it was perfectly okay in most communities for a spanking to cause a child to cry in pain throughout and have difficulty sitting down afterward, even resulting in stripes or bruises for days. Nowadays several think even mere redness of the skin abusive, while others would call it effective discipline. This causes questions as to whether children should be spanked. In addition, whether spanking is an effective method of discipline and at what point does it constitutes child abuse.

In the article “ The Case Against Spanking” written by Brenda L. Smith. A writer in Washington D.C informs us that spanking leads to aggression, antisocial behavior, physical and mental problems. First, by giving information to explain how spanking or any other physical punishment can pose as aggression and or a loss of trust. Then, by explaining that there are other punishments that could be used or

Even after years of research, the issue of whether spanking is an adequate discipline strategy or damaging to children remains a controversial topic. According to Kazdin and Benjet (2003) the definition of spanking is “. . . hitting a child with an open hand on the buttocks or extremities with the intent to discipline without leaving a bruise or causing physical harm (p. 100). In addition, according to Maguire-Jack, Gromoske and Berger (2012) only a few studies propose that spanking is an effective form of discipline. On the other hand, there is more evidence to show that spanking is an unsuccessful form of discipline that can led to unwanted consequences (p. 1960). I personally do not take a stance in this topic because I can see valid points from both parties. Although, I believe that the way the punishment is presented to the child is extremely important. For example, I feel that the child should know why he or she is punished and what is expected of them thereafter.

Why Spanking Children is Wrong Parents have been spanking their children for hundreds of years, but recently this practice has come into question. The concern is not regarding the effectiveness of spanking but the correctness of spanking. Parents should not be allowed to strike their children. Child abuse is defined as any unnecessary or intentional physical or emotional or sexual mistreatment of children. Spanking is not the only method of child discipline. Spanking is not even the most effective method of child discipline. Numerous studies have made it evident that spanking does have a negative effect on children. Spanking children should be considered child abuse because it teaches children the wrong message about hitting, it does not

The common misconception that spanking is a form of child abuse affects the proper discipline of today's youth. Some parents are actually afraid to discipline their own children using the same method of belief from their own upbringing. Who is correct in the notion of right and wrong discipline? Is there such a thing as a correct way to spank your child? In my opinion, there is. So, my goal is to show that if the

15% of children are spanked before their first birthday, also 19 states in the U.S. allow spanking in schools. Spanking can cause aggression, mental disorders, and drug/alcohol abuse during adulthood (Online Psychology). Does spanking effect kids or effect how they act, does spanking effect later discipline techniques? Is it considered child abuse? Multiple questions on whether spanking should even be aloud.

Spanking Isn’t Child Abuse, It’s Common Sense, by Ruban Navarrette deals with one of the biggest controversies in parenting ever since the twenty-first century: spanking your child. Ruban’s main point in this article is that fear is essential to respect and children won’t do what we tell them to do unless they fear

Based on the many of the online articles and journals from different academic sources like the oxford journal, the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences I have read personally, I am confident that the damaging effects of spanking outweigh the positives. 4. I’ll be covering how Spanking children should be against the law in the USA because of the harmful effects it has on a child’s development, self-image, and there are better

While this review of literature on spanking children is limited in finding evidence in supporting spanking, the research available that opposes spanking is rather compelling. The findings from the reviewed articles provide advice to parents, both new and long-time, on how to discipline their children if they want their children to have the best outcomes. The studies that have been reviewed are only a small amount of what has been published regarding the negative impacts that spanking can have on children. Additionally, this research may be a start for a move in society to begin viewing spanking as a negative child-rearing practice. While there is a lot more research that could be reviewed on this topic, high levels of aggression, behavioral problems, and

Spanking has received a bad reputation dues to increase in child abuse that is report yearly. In 2012 2.9 million cases of child abuse was reported in the United States this neglect and abuse. (Safe Horizon, 2012) As a child I was spank, punished and talked to about what was acceptable behavior, respecting all adults and people in authority. As a child I would have rather receive a spanking because my mom never stop talking but maybe that because I got so few spanking.

Brendan Smith (2012), focused on the harm and the negative impacts of parents spanking their children. Internationally it is viewed as a violation of children’s rights, and has even been banned in 30 different countries (Smith, 2012). Elizabeth Gershoff, a researcher on physical punishment suggests that physical punishment does not work because you have to make it stronger and harder every time in order to have the kids comply (Smith, 2012). It has been found that children who were physically punished are more likely to believe

It had to control non-spanking related factors that might affect the children’s outcomes. And, lastly, it had to have findings with statistical strength. (Perry). Making sure each criteria eliminates the past doubt many had with other meta-analysis studies on spanking. After leading the study, Gershoff and Grogan-Kaylor verified that spanking has many negative effects. Such as children who have been spanked in their childhood were more likely to support physical punishment. (Holeman and Wire). Also, this study displayed a positive correlation, meaning if there is an increase in the amount of spanking then there will be an increase in the child’s likelihood of anti-social behavior, mental health issues, and aggression (Holeman and Wire). The study even indicates, spanking will only discipline the child’s behavior for a small amount of time. Gershoff observed that, when there is a “long-term” behavior acquired by the child, the behavior disappears once the physical threat has left, then the child will go back to their old behaviors (Narvaez). Another conclusion from the study was if the parent spanked their kids then the parents have a higher chance of physically abusing their children. This recent study is very beneficial to help parents understand the consequences of spanking. “We as society think of spanking and physical abuse as distinct behavior. Yet our research shows that spanking is linked with the

The popular news article I selected was by Dr. Laura Markham (2017) on a website called AhaParenting titled, “Should You Spank Your Child?”. The claims made in the article cover that parents who were spanked as a child are more likely to spank their own children, that kids who are spanked are less emotionally healthy than kids who weren’t, and other factors involving corporal punishment both long lasting and immediate. The proposed message of the article is that spanking produces unruly behavior and has no evidence of any positive behavioral changes.

This issue of corporal punishment is a current issue that many people have on their minds. The issue strikes an emotional chord for many whom were or were not punished by spanking during their own childhoods. The issue generally focuses on the effect that spanking or other discipline methods will have on children. I will specifically be exploring the question: is it ever appropriate to spank a child? The cases for and against the spanking of young children are many and varied. But the main issue is the level of appropriateness that the act can reach.