Arguments Against Corporal Punishment: Why Spanking is not a Good Idea

When we talk about physical punishment in children, we usually attribute it to a compassionate corrective whose intention is to modify the behavior of the child in a non-injurious way. However, the nature of the punishment proves otherwise. Before we move forward, it is important to take into consideration that every act involving open-handed hitting, such as blows on hands, buttocks, being slapped, pinched, paddled, whipped, being immobilized to swallow substances, being struck with objects of any kind, hits on feet, arms, back, and knees, are general examples of physical punishment.

Reasons to Avoid Corporal Punishment: Why Spanking is Ineffective

Traditions have always impacted the way parents raise their children over time. Spanking, another form of physical punishment, remains popular. A large part of the population in many countries, especially this one, bases their discipline upon corporal punishment. Since people were raised this way, they have “normalized” the action. According to Muzafer Sherif (1936), who is considered one of the founders of social psychology, “Normalization is a process of reciprocal influence that takes place when there is no frame of reference available to make a judgment or act in a certain way” (Sherif, 1936). Thus, people approve and repeat what they were taught because that was the only reference they got. This is why traditions pose such a significant challenge in terms of distinguishing whether the action is harmful or not. Ineffective problem-solving, lack of communication, and not establishing laws of behavior from the very beginning are some causes that lead parents to spank their children. Bad behavior is directly adjusted to what the parent expects from the child. It becomes unjustified to reprimand a child for something that was not clearly explained or if the request was not physically possible for the infant given their age or experience. Typically, when parents resort to corporal punishment, they are under the influence of a negative emotion, leading to impulsive actions. Tired parents are more likely to seek quick results rather than assertive ones. If they were conscious of the damage behind their methods, they would probably think twice before hitting a child.

Nowadays, most doctors do not support physical punishment. According to an article in The New York Times (2018), “A survey of 1,500 pediatricians in the U.S. found that 74% of them did not approve of spanking and 78% thought spanking never improved children’s behavior” (New York Times, 2018). Physical punishment is not an effective strategy to teach right from wrong because it does not teach a positive replacement, leading the child to repeat the problematic behavior. It distracts the child from learning how to solve a conflict assertively. Besides being useless in terms of education, corporal punishment brings adverse long-term repercussions. One 2009 study showed that being struck with objects at least 12 times a year for a period of three years produced less gray matter in the brains of children (Sullivan, 2009). Minimizing the number of parents that hit their children may also reduce the rate of mental illness and disorders in the general population.

The Impact on Family Bonds

When parents spank their children, they sometimes interfere with the bond they create as a family. Parents should aspire to maintain a strong bond based on mutual feelings of love and respect. If there is a lack of trust, the child will never follow their parent’s will by their own conviction. In the end, it is not a real understanding that moves the child to behave; it is fear. Many people consider fear an excellent motivator. It is effective, and results come quickly as desired, but is that reason enough to ignore all the proven evidence that disapproves of physical punishment? Power does not equate to authority. Subduing a child will not teach them why it is wrong to behave that way. It will only produce superficial good conduct until the child is old enough to resist.

Parents can become emotional during a conflict, leading to spanking their kids, but if they, as adults, are not able to control their own emotions, how do they expect children to control theirs through this method? “Nothing else works” is a typical phrase used to justify corporal punishment, but that statement is debatable. Hitting does not work every time either. If the child is not afraid of the punishment or if they strongly believe in what they are doing, they would not change their behavior even if it implies being spanked. When parents correct their children, it is essential to explain why they are doing it; otherwise, the children will never understand why they are doing something wrong. There are many alternatives to spanking that can give children realistic consequences and a real comprehension of the issue.

Children's Rights and Legal Perspectives

Physical punishment of children violates international human rights laws. Children cannot be considered the possession of their parents. Parenthood represents a source and guide for life. Nevertheless, it is erroneous to interpret this as meaning that parents own their children, suggesting they can do whatever they want with them. Barbara Bennett Woodhouse (2000), director of the Child Rights Project at Emory University, argues that “No person has a right to strike another, no matter how close the relationship is” (Woodhouse, 2000). Sometimes, even good parents may resort to corporal punishment when they lose their patience. Those mistakes are understandable, but it does not make hitting a right either. We live in a violent society, with constant fights and misunderstandings. While it is not possible to change the nature of humanity, we can influence it to be less violent and more cooperative by raising the new generations in a peaceful way.

Conclusion: Alternatives to Physical Punishment

Corporal punishment has several consequences for the development of a child's character. It can stir up anger and fear, making the child's attitude either defiant or weak. Anger and frustration cannot be safely expressed, so children learn to store these feelings inside them. Subsequently, they grow up conflicted with themselves, and the long-term consequences finally manifest. Children who experience physical punishment are more likely to believe it was for their own good when they interpret the action as a way of showing love.

There are many alternatives parents can use instead of physical punishment. Discipline should involve empathy and respect, and it is the responsibility of parents to properly educate their children. It is possible to be a well-balanced, strict parent without spanking. There are other ways to set clear boundaries. Sometimes parenting means finding the best solutions, even if they are hard to see. The majority of us who were spanked by our parents think we turned out okay; perhaps we did, but now, we can do it better.

References:

• New York Times. (2018). A survey of 1,500 pediatricians in U.S. Retrieved from [source URL]
• Sherif, M. (1936). The Psychology of Social Norms. Harper & Brothers.
• Sullivan, R. (2009). Study on the effects of physical punishment. [Journal Name], [Volume(Issue)], Pages.
• Woodhouse, B. B. (2000). Child Rights Project. Emory University. Retrieved from [source URL]