The Detrimental Effects of Spanking on Children
Spanking, a form of corporal or physical punishment, is a disciplinary measure many parents use that can significantly harm a child's well-being (Hornor et al., 2015). Research has consistently shown that children subjected to corporal punishment, such as spanking, tend to exhibit increased aggression and antisocial behavior, are at a higher risk of mental health problems, and often experience strained parent-child relationships (Chiocca, 2017; Grujicic et al., 2022). These adverse outcomes highlight the importance of adopting alternative disciplinary strategies that foster a child's healthy development. Prevalence of Physical, Corporal, and Spanking 49% of children aged 0-9 were spanked in the past year (Miller-Perrin & Perrin, 2018) 42% of caregivers use physical punishment monthly (Prevent Child Abuse, 2021) Up to 80% of parents have spanked their child at some point (Gershoff et al., 2012). Understanding Corporal Punishment Corporal punishment is using physical for...