Chocolate for the Mind

Because the question of whether or not spanking should be allowed as a form of punishment is so controversial, there are many misconceptions relating to the effects of spanking on children. The media has publicised several studies that seem to indicate that spanking is a display of violent aggression that causes children to have social, mental, behavioral, and even sexual problems later in life. The claim that spanking causes children to become more aggressive, however, has little evidence to support it in most cases.

A study by Gunnoe and Mariner of the Department of Psychology at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan concluded that “claims that spanking teaches aggression seem unfounded” in most cases (Gunnoe). The only group studied in which the number of playground fights increased was “8- to 11-year-old white boys in single-mother families,” and the number of fights decreased for “children aged 4 to 7 years and for children who are black.” The results of this study seem to indicate that a combination of factors, not just spanking alone, causes an increase in aggressive behavior. Another study conducted by Robert E. Larzelere examined if reasoning with a child about why they received a spanking would prevent the child from becoming aggressive.  For preadolescents and adolescents, “spanking had a minimal effect on aggression for frequent reasoners” (Larzelere).  This study shows that as long as parents explain why they are administering the spanking, children will not learn aggressive behavior from spanking.

Children can become aggressive towards their parents and other students because of punishment they receive.  However, to say that spanking itself causes this aggression is unwarranted by experimental data.  Instead, a combination of factors, such as age, family situation, and communication between the parent and child determines whether each individual child will pick up aggressive behaviors.

Spanking has been a long supported tradition in many American households.  However, many new studies show that spanking has adverse effects on children.  While some instances, such as a child running into the street, may require the immediate response of spanking, corporal punishment can create behavioral and social problems for children later in life.

A common problem for children who have been spanked is an increase in anti-social behavior.  A study by M. A. Straus, D. B. Sugarman, and J. Giles-Sims of the University of New Hampshire found that “more spanking at the start” of the study led to a “higher … level of ASB 2 years later” (Straus).   Corporal punishment aimed to reduce anti-social behavior tended instead to increase anti-social behavior.  The effects of spanking can also continue into adulthood.  In a survey of people who had never reported a history of abuse during childhood, MacMillan, Boyle, Wong, Duku, Fleming, and Walsh observed that ”those who reported being slapped or spanked” were more likely to develop “anxiety disorders,” “alcohol abuse or dependence,” and “externalizing problems” than those who were never spanked (MacMillan).  This proves that even corporal punishment not categorized as abuse can increase the risk of psychological disorders in adults.

Spanking is typically a short-term solution that can create long-term problems.  With all of the risks associated with spanking as a form of punishment, the possible benefits of corporal punishment seem less significant. 

The debate over whether or not to use corporal punishment on children has been raging for several years.  Supporters believe that spanking is the only way to get a message across to a disruptive child, while opponents believe that spanking is abusive and harmful to a child later in life.  What most people fail to realize is that spanking is not abusive when used in moderation in a controlled, non-violent manner.

In New Zealand researchers from the Dunedin multidisciplinary health and development studied the differences in the behaviors of children who were “smacked lightly with an open hand on the bottom, hand or leg” and those who were punished by other methods of corporal punishment.  These children ranked “similar [to] or even slightly better” than children who had never received corporal punishment in areas such as “aggression, substance abuse, adult convictions and school achievement” (New Zealand Press Association).  Being one of the first studies to differentiate between different methods of corporal punishment, this study proves the benefits of spanking in contrast to hitting, beating, or abusing children.  Not only can a misuse of spanking harm children, an overuse of spanking can also be harmful.  Paul Preston, who has an advanced degree in psychology, says that children can “become immune” to spanking “if spanking is used for every misbehavior” (Preston).  To achieve the most effect, parents should only spank their children for dangerous behavior or when other methods have failed, in other words in moderation.

Spanking can be an effective method of discipline when used properly.  Moderation and correct application of force can determine the effectiveness of the punishment and whether or not a child will have problems related to spanking later in life.

I agree that in certain situations children should be spanked as a form of discipline.  Spanking teaches children valuable lessons such as that actions have consequences and that authority, parental or otherwise, should be respected.  These are lessons that children need to learn in order to become better adults.  Being spanked as a child taught me to obey my parents’ authority and helped develop my conscience.  Some argue that spanking or “hitting” a child is abuse and should never be considered.  While I agree that some parents misuse spanking, when used as form of corrective discipline, not an attempt by angry parents to hurt their child, spanking almost never causes permanent harm to children.

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