Because the issue of whether or not corporal punishment is an effective and/or ethical mechanism to correct poor behavior in children has become integral to public discourse, it is important that pro-spanking advocates have a clear understanding of why they support the enterprise. Moreover, individuals opposed to corporal punishment should gain an awareness of the pro-spanking position in order to understand why so many parents deem it integral to disciplining unruly children. In general, there are several key questions that people seeking more information about the merits and disadvantages of spanking ask when attempting to gain more knowledge about the topic. Let’s review these common questions and research findings from an important article entitled “To Spank Or Not To Spank” that answer them.
Question 1: Isn’t spanking harmful to the child?
The existing body of research on corporal punishment has not demonstrated that spanking children has an ultimately detrimental effect. In reviewing reports on this very issue, Trumbull and Ravenel cited findings from the American Academy of Pediatrics indicating that spanking might not be harmful to a child’s health (125). It should be noted-as stated by AAP representatives-that corporal punishment does not have adverse consequences on children when administered in healthy, supportive environments.
In addition to recognizing the significance of research findings taken from scientific studies, it is also important to consider what the general populace has said about corporal punishment. In a Voter/Consumer Research poll facilitated by the Family Research Council, 76% of more than 1,000 people surveyed stated that spanking was an efficacious manner to exact discipline when they were growing up (126).
Question # 2: Doesn’t spanking create aggressive and abusive adults?
Research has not clearly demonstrated that spanking creates dysfunctional adults. One thing to take into consideration when attempting to draw conclusions about these types of questions is that findings demonstrating that corporal punishment leads to aggressive and/or destructive adult behavior often do not draw distinctions between spankings and more violent forms of physical abuse. For example, actions such as punching and kicking are often grouped under the umbrella of corporal punishment despite the fact that they are clearly forms of physical abuse. Moreover, many of these studies include individuals who were disciplined during their adolescent years, a time period during which many specialists argue that spanking is no longer appropriate and/or effective (126). Thus, when studies are conducted in a manner such that spanking includes the aforementioned forms of physical discipline and is administered to adolescents, it is not surprising that research findings might indicate a proclivity for dysfunctional behavior in adults subjected to this type of violence in childhood. Ultimately, there is no clear evidence indicating that properly administered physical discipline-which includes neither acts such as punching and kicking nor the adolescent population-leads to dysfunctional behavior in adults.
Question # 3: Is there any reliable contemporary research that advocates spanking?
Many research findings indicate that spanking is an effective and appropriate measure parents can use to discipline their children. For example, clinical field trials where evaluations of spanking have been done find that the practice results in a reduced frequency of noncompliant behavior when coupled with time-out procedures (129). It is important to note that many well-researched parent-training programs include spanking as a component of time-out. The key to success with this method of discipline is that it not be excessive or permissive. In essence, the parents should not spank the child too often nor should they allow their youngster to display undesirable attitudes and/or actions without responding with corrective measures. Thus ultimately, the corporal punishment must include encouragement geared towards producing the right type of behavior. Research demonstrates that spanking-when coupled with other measures like time-out-is effective.
Question # 4: Isn’t spanking only advocated by religious zealots who believe that the Bible is to be taken literally?
There are individuals who spank their children and do so based on their interpretation of biblical scriptures. For example, Proverbs 22:15 states that the rod of correction will remove foolish ideas from the heart of a child and many Christians have used this supposition as a proof-text for their view that God advocates spanking. However, spiritual people are not the only individuals who support the use of corporal punishment to correct undesirable behavior in their children. As indicated earlier, research findings on this issue have led many physicians to believe that spanking is not harmful as long as it is administered in a healthy environment and does not include violent acts such as punching and kicking. Moreover, parents from diverse and fundamentally disparate faith systems employ spanking as medium through which to generate desirable behavior in their children. Thus, to state that corporal punishment is only advocated or practiced by religious zealots who believe in literal interpretations of the Bible would be false.
Clearly, there is no general consensus regarding whether or not corporal punishment is moral and advantageous. Both secular and spiritual communities remain divided about the issue. Nevertheless, accessing and understanding current research findings regarding the matter can be integral to attaining a deeper awareness of whether or not corporal punishment is appropriate for your own child.
Sources:
Trumbull, Den A. and S. Dubose Ravenel. “To Spank Or Not To Spank.” Quoted in Dr. James Dobson, The New Strong-Willed Child: Birth Through Adolescence. Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, 2004.
