Spanking, also referred to as corporal punishment, is defined as: an act of slapping, especially on the buttocks as a punishment for children. According to Alvin Poussaint, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry, at Harvard Medical School, “Researchers have found that children who are spanked show higher rates of aggression and delinquency in childhood than those who were not spanked. As adults, they are more prone to depression, feelings of alienation, use of violence toward a spouse, and lower economic and professional achievement. None of this is what we want for our children” (Poussaint 17). Corporal punishment in U.S. homes is lawful in all 50 states, and 19 of those states still allow spanking in schools, which causes a multitude of issues. In likeness, many other countries have made spanking illegal because it engenders negative physical, emotional, and cognitive effects on children; there are many effective and harmless alternatives to corporal punishment.
In the light of corporal punishment being made illegal in other countries, there are quite a few reasonable answers for this. Based off of the Harvard Medical School article, The Spanking Debate, states that some parents think using physical force to discipline children leads to abuse. Others regard an occasional smack or stinging slap is normal and necessary part of child rearing. The author Gershoff defines corporal punishment as a physical force pain, but not injured in order to control child behavior. Studies show that
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
Spanking kids leads to depression (“9 things to do Instead of Spanking”,2016). Multiple studies show that teens are more likely to aggression, depression, and drug use when they are hit as kids. They don’t know any better than being hit. They also will think it is okay to hit others. Spanking makes kids feel insecure and leads to self-esteem problems.
Spanking a four-year old causing trouble leads to more trouble so why hit him, it only causes them to act up, but alternatives to spanking can be used upon a child to get them to behave. “The right of parents to physically discipline their children is ingrained in American culture and recognized in our laws” (Blum 921), but a toddler doesn’t need harsh physical discipline to learn the difference between right and wrong, it doesn’t need to be spanked because they are doing something they are not supposed to be doing, it just needs to be told that what they are doing is wrong and they should stop. After a while the child knows not to do certain things because they know they shouldn't do them. One very good example of an alternative to spanking is putting the child in time-out. Let’s say the child is misbehaving a lot, yelling across the room or throwing a tantrum because you didn’t want to buy them a toy they wanted, and he or she doesn’t want to listen to anything you are saying, giving the child a warning allows them to consider where their parents are coming from, but if they ignore it putting them in time out gives the child some time to reflect on what they did wrong. This works very well with young children because they have a fear of being by themselves. Some “ Mexican” parents tell their kids that once they get home they will get a spanking because they were misbehaving, but this puts the child in a state of anxiety, no child wants to get home from a long day and get
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.
CNN mentions that for decades experts have stated that spanking is not effective because it teaches a child to be scared of his parents and to not respect them (O'Callaghan, 2011). In fact it is dangerous because hitting can injure a child and teach him or her it is okay to hit someone if they disappoint them. Imagine a grown adult spanking another adult. This would be considered an assault, and is not acceptable in our society. Therefore, it is not okay for an adult to hit a child in our day and
Everyday parents are faced with the challenges of disciplining their children. We all wish there was an instruction booklet that we could magical pull out and get them back on the right path, but no such thing exists. Often times, your child pushes you to the edge of your personal limitations. At this moment it is often we correct our child’s behavior by spanking. Spanking is considered a form of discipline that is acceptable by most and an unacceptable to a smaller crowd. Spanking can lead to psychological problems in early adolescent, which long term can lead to emotional and anger retention.
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.
Spanking has become an arguably debatable form of discipline. According to a study at the University of Texas, the more children are spanked, the more likely they are to defy their parents (“Spanking: Pros and Cons”). There is a connection between spanking during the childhood and mental health diagnoses later in life. There are other options of discipling your child than spanking them, especially because all children can take spanking differently. Parents should not spank their child because it showers that being “stronger” is right, demonstrates that older people have a right to hit younger people, and gives the examples that violence solves all problems.
Spanking has been a controversial topic among many parents. Some believe it is just a form of discipline and is okay, while others believe that this is abuse or violence and it will harm the child in the long run.
A recent study shows 70 percent of parents believe it is right to discipline a child through physical means. Most commonly, parents will spank their children but being hit with things like belts or other objects happens as well. Parenting methods haven’t changed much with time and discipline in similar no matter the country. With more studies out to find the most effective method of parenting and discipline it’s coming to attention whether or not physical harm is the best way to teach children. Parents want what is best for their children, so it is important to constantly bring up and question methods commonly accepted in the past. One method that is becoming more controversial is spanking children. Though it is still considered normal to do, it is gaining more traction and more studies are being done to find the problems it causes. Checking on parenting methods can be difficult as everyone is raised differently. It is also difficult to test which forms of punishment lead to certain outcomes. However, there is a trend of negative effects from hitting. Gershoff acknowledges, “several national professional organizations have called on parents to abandon spanking as a child rearing practice and for professionals to recommend disciplinary alternatives to spanking.” Spanking children is a terrible discipline method as it has negative effects.
The term corporal punishment means the intentional infliction of pain on the body for purposes of punishment. "Spanking can be defined as the use of physical force aimed at causing children to experience pain but not injury, for the purposes of correction and control of youthful behavior"(http://www.123helpme.com/preview.asp?id=32539). Spanking is a controversial topic and should not be taken lightly.
In A Time To Kill, by John Grisham, two drunken white men violently raped, beat, and nearly killed a 10-year-old black girl named Tonya Hailey. Her father, in a clouded rage, executed the two rapists with an M-16 on their way out of the courthouse. His vigilante form of justice was not well taken by many in prejudiced Ford County, Mississippi. On the other hand, he had lots of support from the black community and from any white person whom dared to step into his shoes. A young, thirty-something lawyer named Jack Brigance was hired as his defense. He personally hoped it would give him national recognition, but his outlook turned sour when an all-white jury was drawn to decide on the fate of this Negro man. As
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Many studies on cases of adults who have tendency to perpetuate abuses, either as a victim or as an abuser, are traced in the pattern of violence experienced at home, and many are reportedly experience being physically violated by spanking during their childhood. Despite the information and advocacy available in almost all media these days, there are still parents who thought that spanking their children to emphasize discipline is still beneficial. The benefits cited by those supporting spanking as acceptable method of discipline varied across culture and race. Generally, there are three views or positions about spanking as a form of discipline (Benject C. & Kazdin A, 2003) : Pro-corporal punishment, anti-corporal punishment, and conditional corporal punishment.
The effectives of spanking grows stronger as a child gets older. In children around the ages of 6-12 will end up losing respect for the parent. Listening skills will diminish and they will become disobedient. You will be unable to properly rationalize with your child and communicate adequately. According to Rob Waters, “Spanking teaches your child that violence is an acceptable way to solve problems”(Waters, R, n.d). Studies have shown that a child is more likely to be violent if they are spanked at home. Spanking instructs a child that roughness is an adequate approach to tackle issues. Research demonstrates that children who are hit typically end up hitting other children as well. Also, different studies find that children who are hit are