“Mother’s Spanking of 3-Year-Old Children and Subsequent Risk of Children’s Aggressive Behavior” is a research conducted by Catherine A. Taylor, Jennifer A. Manganello, Shawna J. Lee and Janet C. Rice. The research is a psychological study of 3-year old children who have been subjected to corporal punishment such as spanking and has attempted to study its relation to children’s aggressive behavior during a particular time period; the age group being 3-year olds and 5-year olds. Several demographic features and possible relative factors of the study were also assessed. The study is of vital significance as corporal punishment such as spanking or slapping is widely prevalent in the United States (Taylor, Manganello, Lee, & Rice, 2010, p. 1058). Several parents in the US use such forms of corporal punishment to discipline their children, instill values or to correct their aggressive behavior (Taylor, Manganello, Lee, & Rice 2010, p.105). In fact, an estimated 35%-90% US parents resort to corporal punishment to modify aggressive behavior of their children. A poll conducted in 2005 showed that around 75% of US believed that spanking a child is normal behavior. These alarming figures definitely call for an awakening of parents and a need to convince them that corporal punishment only worsens a child’s aggressive behavior. This study is an attempt to convince such parents and elders of the ill-effects of corporal punishment.
The current study consists of a central hypothesis which states that aggressive behavior of children in their early childhood is vitally related to the amount of corporal punishment they are subjected to. In this study, spanking which is considered a form of corporal punishment and its effects on the behavior of 3-year olds and 5-year olds have been analyzed. This is an observational study with a sample size of 4898. The participating respondents (mothers) were obtained from Fragile Families and Child Well-being Study (FFCWS) from 20 US cities during the period from 1998 to 2000. Child data was obtained in children aged 1, 3 and 5. Mothers of those children were interviewed for frequency of spanking their children when they were 3 years and 5 years old. Out of the 4898 participants, 2437 did not participate in the interviews and gave no answers. 2461 participants were interviewed to find out if mothers spanked their children at the age of 3 and 5. The primary independent variable of the study was the mother’s frequency of spanking her child. The child’s resultant aggressive behavior is the dependant variable. The interview consisted of analyzing questions such as if the child argues, is he cruel and mean to others, does he bully others, destroys things at home, is disobedient at home, school or in child care etc. (Taylor, Manganello, Lee, & Rice, 2010, p.1059). The interview also contained questions related to parent psychology and statistics such as child neglect, use of alcohol/drugs, partner aggression or violence, harsh parenting etc. (Taylor, Manganello, Lee, & Rice, 2010, p.1059).
A descriptive and bivariate statistical analysis of data was conducted and assessed. Four regression models were used for statistical analysis. Model 1 represented the use of corporal punishment at age 3, Model 2 was the child’s aggressive behavior at age 3, Model 3 was the maternal parenting risk factors and Model 4 represented the demographic features. Results were tabulated and interpreted as follows. Around 45.6% of mothers did not spank their children, 27.9% spanked once or twice and 26.5% spanked more than twice. On statistical analysis, it was observed that most of the parental risk factors had a significant association with child aggression. The researchers felt the need to control such factors as they interfered with their main variable spanking. The analysis also showed that mothers who spanked their children more than twice at the age of 3, showed higher levels of aggression at the age of 5. The researchers then controlled parental risk factors to eliminate research errors. It was noted again that more use of corporal punishment at the age of 3, increased aggressive behavior at age 5. These results were consistent with early studies which revealed that there existed a significant link between the use of corporal punishment on children and their aggressive behavior.
The present study is a good attempt to focus on the aspect of corporal punishment such as spanking and its effect on child behavior. The research is an observational study which makes use of data as interviews of mothers who spanked their children. The results have been tabulated using four models of analysis. Detailed regression analysis of data was conducted and the confidence intervals were obtained. The tables formed were well-detailed, with all the vital details included and in an organized way, easily understood by the reader. The four models of analysis used were compared simultaneously in a table (Table 3). This table clearly showed a comparative analysis, thus giving the reader a better perspective of each model. The tables are also explained well in the text. The researchers have analyzed the effects of parental risk factors on child aggression as in early studies and have eliminated these factors in the current research by using it as a controlled trial to prove that even after elimination of most of the parental risk factors, corporal punishment, remains to be significant in increasing child aggression. The sample size used is large and covers 20 large US cities, thus representing a larger part of the country, giving a better overall perspective. This research has been published by the American Academy of Pediatrics which believes that corporal punishment must be avoided by parents, elders and caregivers. They also stress that these are other non-violent strategies which can be used in rearing children well and in handling their stressed behavior. These alternatives have proved to be much more effective in better child management.
The study also has its limitations associated with any other observational study. Firstly, data has been obtained by answers of mothers which may have been biased. Secondly, no data has been obtained from fathers and caregivers who are also in close association with a child. Thirdly, while several factors contribute to child aggression, it is difficult to isolate one factor such as corporal punishment and study its effects. The study would also be unethical if a group of parents were asked to use corporal punishment on their children for research purposes. The research study may be enhanced by adding pictorial representations of the statistical analysis conducted. Overall, the research is a good attempt to add to the already existent research on child aggression. This research is an eye-opener to parents and caregivers who expect to achieve discipline instantly by using corporal punishment. It must be understood that children are better understood with love, care and patience. Our living in a world full of busy scheduled, deadlines and endless commitments, it is becoming more and more difficult to bring up children in a more productive way. Spending quality time with children and building trust between parent and child goes a long way in the upbringing of children.
Reference
Taylor, C. A., Manganello, J. A., Lee, S. J., & Rice, J. C. (2010). Mother’s Spanking of 3- Year-
Old Children and Subsequent Risk of Children’s Aggressive Behavior. Pediatrics,
125(5), 1057-1063.
