You have probably heard the expression, "Spare the rod, spoil the child." Do you agree with it? Perhaps you were spanked as a kid. Was it appropriate? Some people see spanking as an outdated method of punishment or even child abuse, while others view a swat on the bottom as a parent's prerogative. Where do we draw the line when it comes to disciplining our children?
Hundreds of studies in peer-reviewed journals in the fields of medicine, psychology, sociology, and education have concluded that physical punishment of children has many negative effects on children that parents do not intend. Research has shown that the more children are spanked, the more likely it is that children will:
• Engage in antisocial behavior, such as lying, stealing, cheating, bullying, assaulting a sibling or peers;
• Act aggressively toward others;
• Develop mental health problems, such as depression and suicidality;
• Have a less close relationship with their parents;
• Be physically abused by their parents.
Children are often hit for aggressive behaviors and other antisocial behavior. Not only are parents sending a hypocritical message, “I’m going to hit you because you hit another”, but almost all studies show that more physical punishment is associated with more aggressiveness.A majority of prisoners were physically abused as children. Significantly more school shooting homicides have taken place in paddling states. Columbine, Pearl, Paducah, and Jonesboro school shootings took place in paddling states.
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