The old-fashioned philosophy of “spare the rod and spoil
the child” found a rare ally in modern psychology in a controversial study
that says occasional spanking does not cause children lasting harm.
The old-fashioned philosophy of “spare the rod and spoil
the child” found a rare ally in modern psychology in a controversial study
that says occasional spanking does not cause children lasting harm.
“Were not advocating this is a strategy that should
be used with kids, but we object to people wanting to ban it when we see no
evidence that its harmful,” said Elizabeth Owens, study co-author
and a faculty member at the Institute of Human Development at the University
of California at Berkeley.
An expectant mother, Owens emphasized she is not advocating
spanking. “And I dont plan to use it, but if there are situations
where I think it would be helpful, I wouldnt be averse to using it (in
a mild way).”
Co-author Diana Baumrind also said she does not advocate spanking.
But there is no proof it causes psychological harm, she said. Baumrind also
is a faculty member at the University of California in Berkeley.
The recently-released study indicated there is no association
between infrequent spanking and problems in social or emotional development,
at least through early adolescence.
“A blanket injunction against disciplinary spanking is
not warranted by the evidence,” Baumrind said.
The study found that most parents sometimes disciplined preschool
children with mild to moderate spanking. Such action caused no negative effects,
the study indicated.
Indeed, the study found only 4 percent of parents refrained
from all physical forms of punishment with their small children although
most ceased such discipline by the time their children were adolescents.
However, the study also showed that 4 percent to 7 percent
of parents disciplined their children frequently and impulsively, using such
means as verbal punishment, a paddle, hitting or shaking and throwing.
Those children were found to be more likely to experience problems
related to behavior, anxiety and depression, the study concluded.
A psychologist who opposes all spanking did not dispute Baumrinds
research but said it is not the final word on the subject.
At least seven other studies have linked spanking with detrimental
effects, noted Murray Straus, an author and faculty member at the University
of New Hampshire. “One study doesnt tell the whole story,” he
said.
Most child psychologists discourage spanking. They say non-corporal
punishment such as time out is just as effective in getting kids
to behave and does not have negative effects.
Baumrind also emphasized the importance of other factors in
a parent-child relationship as well. Indeed, what is more important is that
parents are loving and firm and communicate well with their children, she stressed.
(Article written from an Associated Baptist Press article and
other news reports)