Time out, banning a favorite TV show and scolding are some of the common ways parents use to discipline their children. Amongst the various possible options, research has outlined that over 90% of the parents in America, spank their children. More specifically, about one-third American families report to spank their kids between 10 and 18 months as compared to the 70% of the families who spank their children between 2 and 4 years of age (Jack 1960). Spanking being a form of corporal punishment includes slapping, smacking, grabbing and acts which use physical force in order to regulate and discipline the negative behavior of children. As a matter of fact, since hitting children with objects such as a belt or a wooden spoon are acts of child abuse, spanking is not done with an intention to injure the child. Instead, it is mainly associated with causing pain in order to regulate a behavior. Despite the various forms of corporal punishment, there are a number of other alternatives to spanking which may be used by parents to discipline their children. Some of these alternatives include the option of being firm but kind, by calming down and strategies to teach children to repair mistakes. Regardless of these options, parents continue to spank their children without paying attention to the dire consequences of this act.
Parents spank with the aim of compliance. However, studies show that spanked children are 58% more non compliant to their mothers as compared to those who are not spanked (Straus 762). These children also had double the rate of physical aggression as compared to their counterparts. They were also seen to assault their siblings. Not only this, findings of the study reveal that spanking is also associated with the behavior problems faced by the adults who have been spanked as children. This is conspicuous in the form of spousal abuse, masochistic sex and other aggressive behaviors. Furthermore, studies suggest that incessant long-term spanking promotes anti-social behavior amongst children. This includes behaviors such as lying, bullying, cheating, disobedience and difficulty in getting along with others. In other words, corporal punishment simply tends to model aggression thereby resulting in hostile and negative attributions. This is however true for all age groups. This eventually gives rise to a negative behavior which ultimately creates further issues between parents and children. Spanking is strongly correlated to later aggression and antisocial behaviors. For this reason, parents might use other alternative options to discipline their children. In this way, they would not come across behavior problems when they grow up (Straus, 761).
As compared to older children, younger ones show a positive correlation between spanking and behavior change. This is due to the fact that toddlers are rarely able to grasp the reason behind spanking and therefore tend to positively alter their behavior in future. Regardless of the possibility that spanking toddlers result in disciplining the behavior, this form of corporal punishment exposes them to great emotional trauma and mental stress (Slade 1321). Consequently, spanking being a chronic stressor, adversely affects the neuro-functioning and the brain processes of children. This is further evident through the findings of research which show a clear distinction between the cognition of a maltreated and a non maltreated child which reflects similar results obtained from spanking and other acts related to harsh parenting. This is due to the underlying idea that spanking results in immense stress for children which influences their brain functioning affecting areas of memory and learning (Jack 1961)
Spanking also severely inhibits a child’s development and the ability to trust their parents and other people. This is seen later in life. In other words, although researchers show that spanking toddlers and very young kids might help transform their negative and inappropriate behaviors, contrasting studies explicitly portray that spanking children under 2 years is quite dangerous (Slade 1322). This is the time when children undergo significant transitions and changes with respect to emotional and cognitive development. In addition, this period is also marked with the initiation of relationships where children develop the sense of safety and belongingness. Therefore, corporal punishment during this time severely affects their ability to trust because of which they are unable to feel secure in their relationships. This matter is of serious concern because the earlier established relationships with parents affect the quality of interactions later in life. Consequently, if children are unable to develop secure attachment with their parents during early childhood, they face adjustment issues along with behavior problems and competence with peers (Slade 1322).
Therefore, spanking is one of the common forms of corporal punishment adopted widely by families to discipline their children. This is usually in the form of hitting, grabbing and squeezing the arm of the child. The basic reason underlying spanking is the desire of compliance. Every parent wants their kid to adopt appropriate behaviors and follow a certain code of conduct. Once this is not done, spanking may be considered an option to regulate behavior. Parents however do not realize the damage they are causing to their kids by spanking them. Some of the major issues related to spanking include stress, hampered emotional and cognitive development, low self esteem and competence and bad relationships. For this reason, there is a dire need to educate parents to stop spanking and opt for alternative ways to discipline their children. Some of these alternatives include time-outs, teaching kids new skills, taking away the privileges and reward systems (Straus 140). All these alternative behaviors along with several others help discipline children by protecting them from the severe consequences of spanking.
Works Cited
Jack, Kathryn. “Spanking and child development during the first 5 years of life.” Child Development 83.6 (2012): 1960-1977.
Slade, Eric. “Spanking in early childhood and later behavior problems: A prospective study of infants and young toddlers.” Pediatrics 113.5 (2004): 1321-1330
Straus, Muray. “Spanking by parents and subsequent antisocial behavior of children.” Arch Pediatrics Adolescent Med 151 (1997): 761-767. Print.
Straus, Murray. Children should never, ever, be spanked no matter what the circumstances. Thousand Oak, CA: Sage, 2005. Print.
