Violence Against Children
Disciplining a child is something every parent will do in one way or another, but what constitutes effective discipline has been debated for many years. The question most parents face is whether corporal punishment, even in the mild form of spanking, is a useful disciplinary action. Most parents know where they stand on this issue from the very start. Those opposed have very strong opinions and sound reasons for avoiding spanking, but on the other side of the issue advocates are also quite staunch in their support of corporal punishment as legitimate for disciplining a misbehaving child.
The law for the most part favors parents against spanking. Many states now enforce laws against corporal punishment both in schools and at home. For example, the California Penal Code defines child abuse as the willful infliction of a cruel or inhuman corporal punishment or any injury that results in a “traumatic condition.” Simple spankings don’t usually become the subject of forensic psychology investigations, but parents opposed to spanking make meaningful psychological arguments against it, notably that it represents a loss of control on parents’ part. They say most parents who spank do so out of anger and frustration, and the inability to find another way to deal with their misbehaving children. Spanking can easily lead to child abuse because it usually occurs when emotions run high. It can also lead to aggressive or antisocial behavior in the child. Most feel the child loses respect for and develops instead fear of parents.
Parents in favor of spanking argue that spanked children are better behaved. They often rationalize that they were spanked themselves as children without negative effect on their lives. Some even cite Bible passages as justification for spanking.
Of the many studies over the years investigating the effects of corporal punishment on children, the results are somewhat mixed, but tend to bolster the anti-spanking camp. Some find no greatly negative impact on children spanked moderately and without injury, but most of the studies point to lasting damage. Time Magazine cited a study by Catherine Taylor that found “of nearly 2,500 youngsters in the study, those who were spanked more frequently at age 3 were much more likely to be aggressive by age 5.” Incidence of domestic violence is also higher among adults who were spanked in childhood. Another study by psychologist Elizabeth Thompson Gershoff, of the National Center for Children in Poverty, found ten negative child behaviors associated with those who were spanked including aggression and antisocial behavior.
The American Psychology Association conducted an interview with Alan E. Kazdin, John M. Musser professor of psychology at Yale University, in which he states “Spanking is not a very effective strategy. It does not teach children new behaviors or what to do in the place of the problem behavior.” In other words, children don’t learn from being hit and often the behavior for which they’re being punished continues despite repeated or increasingly harsh discipline from the parent. Research like this suggests that indeed striking children devalues them and injures their self-esteem. Parents often confuse a child’s immediate compliance after being spanked as a sign of respect, but in actuality the child has only learned to fear and mistrust the parent.
With these on the whole strongly negative findings associated with corporal punishment, it should be clear that parents had best use more effective and psychologically healthier alternatives when it comes to disciplining their children. For smaller children redirection is one option. Removing the child from a situation in which he or she behaves badly and presenting a more desirable activity can be beneficial in distracting the child and defusing disruptive temper tantrums.
Positive reinforcement and praise work well with older children. A child who is praised and complimented for good behaviors is more likely to want to continue those behaviors. Positive reinforcement in proper moderation also leads to higher self-esteem in adolescents and builds respect for the parents.
Punishment should be a last resort and never long in duration. A time-out or cooling-off period is good for younger children. Temporary loss of privileges or favorite objects for older children can be an effective and gentle form of discipline. In many instances, most likely talking with the child and explaining why a negative behavior was wrong is good enough to correct the problem.
With so much evidence pointing to the negative side effects of corporal punishment, and very little solid evidence to suggest its benefits, more parents are looking for better alternatives to discipline their children. No matter how it may be justified, corporal punishment is violence against children and may straddle the line as to what constitutes child abuse in several states. On the other hand, many resources are available for parents to educate themselves about effective discipline methods without violence.
–Written by Allison Gamble
This fact sheet highlights key issues related to sex offenses and the management of sex offenders who are under the control of the justice system. It is prepared for members of the public who want to know more about sexual assault, sex offenders, and the role that citizens can play in keeping their communities safe.
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