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The evidence overwhelmingly suggests that spanking is associated with a range of negative outcomes in childhood development, including behavioral problems, cognitive deficits, and socioemotional difficulties. While some methodological debates persist, the consensus is that spanking is more harmful than beneficial. Policymakers, educators, and parents should consider these findings and seek alternative, non-violent methods of child discipline.
The practice of spanking as a disciplinary measure has been a subject of considerable debate among researchers, policymakers, and the general public. While some argue that spanking is an effective way to correct unwanted behaviors in children, a growing body of research suggests that it may have detrimental effects on child development. This article reviews the current literature on the impact of spanking on childhood development, drawing on findings from multiple studies to provide a comprehensive overview.
Prevalence of Spanking
Spanking remains a common disciplinary practice in many parts of the world. For instance, a study using data from UNICEF’s Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys found that 43% of children in 62 countries were spanked or lived in a household where another child was spanked in the past month5. In the United States, research indicates that a significant percentage of parents engage in spanking, with 57% of mothers and 40% of fathers spanking their children at age 3, and 52% of mothers and 33% of fathers continuing to do so at age 56.
Short-term and Long-term Effects
Behavioral Problems
Several studies have found a significant association between spanking and increased behavioral problems in children. A meta-analysis focusing on longitudinal studies revealed that spanking and corporal punishment (CP) are correlated with externalizing problems such as aggression and defiance, as well as internalizing problems like anxiety and depression3. Another study conducted in Japan found that even occasional spanking was associated with a higher number of behavioral problems in children7.
Cognitive Development
Spanking has also been linked to negative cognitive outcomes. For example, high-frequency spanking by fathers at age 5 was associated with lower receptive vocabulary scores in children at age 96. This suggests that spanking may have long-term detrimental effects on cognitive development.
Socioemotional Development
Research indicates that spanking can negatively impact socioemotional development. A study examining Bhutanese children found that spanking predicted reductions in social-emotional skills, even after controlling for various confounding factors4. Similarly, an international study reported that spanking was associated with lower scores on a socioemotional development index among 3- and 4-year-old children in 95% of the countries studied5.
Methodological Considerations
While the majority of studies indicate negative outcomes associated with spanking, some researchers argue that the effect sizes are small and may be influenced by methodological limitations. For instance, a meta-analysis that controlled for baseline levels of child behavior and other confounders found that the impact of spanking on negative outcomes was statistically significant but minimal3. This suggests that while spanking is generally harmful, the magnitude of its effects may vary depending on study design and other factors.
Policy Implications
Given the mounting evidence against the use of spanking, several researchers and organizations advocate for alternative disciplinary methods. One article argues that spanking is a form of violence against children and should be disavowed both professionally and from a human rights perspective10. Another study calls for a more nuanced approach in discussing the effects of spanking with the general public, emphasizing the need for clear and consistent terminology9.
Does spanking impact childhood development?
Andrew Grogan-Kaylor has answered Near Certain
An expert from University of Michigan in Child Development
Our meta-analytic review of 50 years of research on corporal punishment indicated that spanking was associated with a wide variety of undesirable outcomes including increased behavior problems and mental health problems.
Gershoff, E. T., & Grogan-Kaylor, A. (2016). Spanking and Child Outcomes: Old Controversies and New Meta-Analyses. Journal of Family Psychology. 30(4), 453-469. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/fam0000191
Does spanking impact childhood development?
Gordon Asmundson has answered Likely
An expert from University of Regina in Psychology
There is evidence from Afifi and her colleagues (e.g., Afifi et al., 2017) showing that spanking in childhood is empirically similar to physical and emotional abuse with respect to its impacts on adult mental health outcomes (e.g., increased odds of suicide attempts, increased likelihood of substance abuse). Given these and other negative consequences, some scholars, including Afifi, suggest that spanking should be classified as an adverse childhood experience.
Does spanking impact childhood development?
George Holden has answered Likely
An expert from Southern Methodist University in Child Development
There is now a large body of research, that now numbers somewhere around 2,000 studies, indicating parental spanking (physical/corporal punishment) of children can have a deleterious effect on children’s development. Spanking can negatively affect children in a number of ways. There are at least 15 negative outcomes associated with spanking children–the most common being increased aggression and increased mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. The quality of the parent-child relationship is also negatively affected when parents spank their children. That does not mean that every single child who gets spanked will be negatively impacted. Rather the evidence indicates that when a sample of children are assessed, there will be a significant difference between those who have been spanked and those who have not been spanked.