The Detrimental Effects of Spanking on Children

By Andy Anderson

 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 force to cause pain, not injury, to correct or control a child's behavior (Fréchette & Romano, 2017). Despite its widespread use, researchers have found corporal punishment is linked to numerous negative consequences for children across various developmental domains (Taylor et al., 2011).

The Detrimental Effects of Corporal Punishment

Researchers have associated corporal punishment with an increased risk of mental health problems in children, such as anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem (Grujicic et al., 2022). The emotional distress caused by harsh punishment can significantly impair a child's mental, social and emotional development. Additionally, children exposed to corporal punishment are more likely to develop aggressive tendencies and exhibit antisocial behaviors such as bullying, fighting, and other disruptive actions that can negatively impact their social interactions and overall well-being (Grujicic et al., 2022). Corporal punishment can also damage the parent-child relationship, leading to fear, resentment, and a lack of trust (Chiocca, 2017), creating a barrier to effective communication and hindering the development of a healthy and supportive bond. Furthermore, the stress and emotional turmoil from harsh discipline can impede children's ability to focus, learn, and achieve their full potential, leading to poor academic performance (Grujicic et al., 2022). Studies have suggested a correlation between corporal punishment in childhood and an increased risk of substance abuse later in life (Taylor et al., 2011). Some research has also indicated a potential link between corporal punishment and physical health problems, which may be attributed to the chronic stress associated with such punishment (Hornor et al., 2015).

Kazdin's Perspective and Alternatives to Harsh Punishment

Child psychologist and an early developer of Parent Management Training (Treatment for Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)), Alan Kazdin, has extensively researched the effects of harsh punishment on children (Kazdin, 2008). His work emphasizes that while punishment may temporarily suppress unwanted behavior, it fails to teach children appropriate behavior, often leading to negative consequences. Kazdin advocates for positive parenting approaches that focus on reinforcing positive behaviors, setting clear expectations, and utilizing mild disciplinary strategies such as time-outs and natural consequences (Kazdin, 2008).

Conclusion

Researchers have concluded that corporal punishment is a harmful and ineffective disciplinary method that can have lasting negative consequences for children. By adopting positive parenting strategies, parents can create a nurturing and supportive environment that promotes their children's healthy development and well-being.

Take the time to complete the Attitude Toward Spanking (ATC) assessment to compare your attitudes toward spanking with those of other parents (Touliatos et al., 2001). 

The Attitudes Toward Spanking (ATS) Questionnaire is a 10-item assessment that measures an individual's acceptance of and beliefs about spanking as a disciplinary practice. The questionnaire uses a 7-point Likert scale to score responses, with a final score ranging from 10 to 70. Higher scores on the ATS indicate a stronger endorsement of spanking, suggesting that the individual is more likely to view spanking as an acceptable, necessary, and effective form of child discipline and to utilize it as a disciplinary measure with their children. 

Click here to access the questionnaire.

Remember, the detrimental effects of corporal punishment include:

  • Increased risk of mental health problems

  • Increased aggression and antisocial behavior

  • Strained parent-child relationships

  • Poor academic performance

  • Increased risk of substance abuse

  • Potential link to physical health problems

Effectiveness of Corporal Punishment:

Spanking may temporarily stop a problem behavior. However, harsh punishment fails to teach the child a prosocial replacement behavior (Kazdin, 2008). 

Research has found that physical punishment harms the child and is ineffective in changing behavior. What say you?

Note to the Reader:

I delved into the research on physical punishment, corporal punishment, and spanking. To provide an objective perspective, I presented the findings from academic journals and reputable organizations that address child abuse. I took all the facts, recommendations, and conclusions from the literature and resisted the urge to express my opinions. There are no original ideas here, only those of experts. 

Most people are aware of corporal punishment's ineffectiveness and harmful side effects. This information is general knowledge in most but not all quarters. This article is meant to give you references to that information. I'd like to encourage curious readers to review some of the articles and websites listed in the reference section to learn more about the studies conducted on the topic. 

Despite the extensive research that indicates spanking is harmful, approximately 50% of parents and caregivers consider it an effective form of punishment. This article never intended to change minds but to spark a conversation. Spanking is legal at home in all 50 states and allowed in schools in seventeen states, including Missouri.  

Please feel free to contact me with any comments or questions. I look forward to a productive discussion on this critical topic.

References

Chiocca, E. M. (2017). American parents’ attitudes and beliefs about corporal punishment: An integrative literature review. Journal of Pediatric Health Care, 31(3), 372–383. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedhc.2017.01.002

Fréchette, S., & Romano, E. (2017). How do parents label their physical disciplinary practices? A focus on the definition of corporal punishment. Child Abuse & Neglect, 71, 92–103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2017.02.003

Grujicic, R., Toskovic, O., Lazarević, L. B., Mandic-Maravic, V., Mitkovic-Voncina, M., Radanović, A., Radosavljev-Kircanski, J., Videnović, M., Pekmezovic, T., & Pejovic Milovancevic, M. (2022). How are parental practices and attitudes towards corporal punishment related to child academic, developmental, or psychological–emotional dysfunctioning? European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 32(11), 2175–2185. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-022-02061-z

Hornor, G., Bretl, D., Chapman, E., Chiocca, E., Donnell, C., Doughty, K., Houser, S., Marshall, B., Morris, K., & Quinones, S. G. (2015). Corporal punishment: Evaluation of an intervention by pnps. Journal of Pediatric Health Care, 29(6), 526–535. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedhc.2015.04.016

Kazdin, A. E. (2008). Parent management training: Treatment for oppositional, aggressive, and antisocial behavior in children and adolescents (pp. 245–372). Oxford University Press.

Taylor, C. A., Hamvas, L., Rice, J., Newman, D. L., & DeJong, W. (2011). Perceived social norms, expectations, and attitudes toward corporal punishment among an urban community sample of parents. Journal of Urban Health, 88(2), 254–269. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11524-011-9548-7

Touliatos, J., Perlmutter, B. F., Straus, M. A., & Holden, G. W. (2001). Handbook of Family Measurement Techniques: Abstracts [instruments published 1987-1996]. Family measurement overview (Vol. 3, p. 209). Sage Publications. 

Kazdin, A. E. (2008). Parent management training: Treatment for oppositional, aggressive, and antisocial behavior in children and adolescents (pp. 245–372). Oxford University Press.

Prevent Child Abuse. (2021, February 14). Prevent child abuse america. Prevent Child Abuse America. https://preventchildabuse.org/ 

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