Why spanking your kids is a bad idea

DAR ES SALAAM: THE debate over whether to spank children remains a hot topic, especially among new parents. While many were raised to believe that spanking is an effective discipline method, modern child psychology and research present a different perspective. Here are eight compelling reasons to reconsider spanking as a form of discipline.

Spanking is linked to increased aggression

The American Psychological Association reports that physical punishment, including spanking and hitting, can lead to increased aggression, antisocial behavior, physical injury, and mental health problems in children.

Spanked children tend to act out more

Research published in Psychological Science indicates that children spanked by age five are more likely to exhibit behavioral problems by age six compared to their nonspanked peers. While this does not prove causation, it highlights a significant correlation worth considering.

“Parents spank for various reasons, such as their educational or cultural background or their children’s behavior. These same factors, known as selection factors, can also predict children’s behavior problems, making it challenging to determine whether spanking causes these issues,” explains psychological scientist Elizabeth T. Gershoff, the study’s lead author.

Research suggests spanking is ineffective

“You cannot punish out these behaviors that you do not want,” says Dr. Alan Katz, a Yale University psychology professor and director of the Yale Parenting Center and Child Conduct Clinic. “There is no need for corporal punishment based on the research. We are not giving up an effective technique. We are saying this is a horrible thing that does not work.”

Risk of crossing the line

Spanking can become dangerous, especially when emotions are high and stress is looming. Parents who spank in anger or frustration risk crossing into abusive territory, as they may temporarily lose control of their strength.

The american academy of pediatrics advises against it

In 2018, the American Academy of Pediatrics concluded that spanking does more harm than good for children’s development. “One of the most important relationships we all have is the relationship between ourselves and our parents, and it makes sense to eliminate or limit fear and violence in that loving relationship,” says Dr. Robert D. Sege, a pediatrician at Tufts Medical Center.

Spanking is linked to depression and anxiety

A University of Michigan study found that childhood spanking can lead to mental health disorders, including depression and anxiety, and even suicide attempts. “In childhood, parental use of spanking was associated with low moral internalization, aggression, antisocial behavior, externalizing behavior problems, internalizing behavior problems, mental health problems, negative parent-child relationships, impaired cognitive ability, low self-esteem, and risk of physical abuse from parents,” the study notes. “In adulthood, prior experiences of parental use of spanking were significantly associated with adult anti-social behavior, adult mental health problems, and positive attitudes about spanking.”

Spanking is linked to decreased cognitive ability and self-control

A study published in the Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment, and Trauma found that spanking is linked to lower cognitive ability and decreased grey matter. “The more grey matter you have in the decision-making, thoughtprocessing part of your brain (the prefrontal cortex), the better your ability to evaluate rewards and consequences,” explain the authors of a 2011 study published in the Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience. In short, hitting kids for their lack of self-control can lead to even less self-control.