Article via SciParent
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Spanking is a controversial topic in parenting, with many claiming that it is an outdated or even harmful form of discipline. However, some recent research suggests that this may not be the case.
Research on the effects of spanking has typically found small adverse effects on child outcomes. However, media reports have often exaggerated the magnitude of these effects, leading to the belief that spanking is universally harmful. Further, such reports have conflated research on spanking with research on abuse, reporting the results of studies on harsher forms of physical punishment as if they were focused on ordinary spanking.
One particular issue that has lead to this misleading portrayal of spanking is that previous studies used incorrect statistical methods. The typically used methods assumed that all children share the same baseline level of the outcome variable of focus, but this is clearly not the case. Children may have different temperaments, abilities, and experiences, all of which may impact their outcomes.
Recent research that has addressed this issue by accounting for these differences has found that, when done correctly, spanking does not appear to have adverse effects on child outcomes. In fact, some research has even suggested that spanking may have beneficial effects, particularly when used moderately as part of an authoritative parenting style.
Authoritative parenting, characterized by high levels of warmth and high levels of control, has consistently been found by research to be the optimal parenting style. Interestingly, research on authoritative parenting has found that spanking is often used by authoritative parents, which suggests that spanking can be an important part of effective parenting. In fact, there is actually no evidence that authoritative parenting can be achieved at all without spanking, as research on authoritative parenting has found that all authoritative parents spank their children when needed.
It’s important to note that spanking should not be used as a first resort, and should only be used occasionally, as part of a larger disciplinary plan. It should also never be used to discipline children under the age of two, or used to the point of injury.
In conclusion, the effects of spanking on child outcomes have been largely misunderstood and misrepresented. Recent research suggests that, when used correctly as part of an authoritative parenting style, spanking does not have adverse effects and may even be beneficial for children. It is important for parents to understand the complexities of spanking in order to use it responsibly as part of their disciplinary plan. When used as a backup tool for other methods such as time-outs, the latest research has shown that spanking can be an effective disciplinary tactic that does not lead to adverse side effects. However, the risks of adverse effects grow when used excessively, so it should not be used as a first resort.
Archive
Spanking is a controversial topic in parenting, with many claiming that it is an outdated or even harmful form of discipline. However, some recent research suggests that this may not be the case.
Research on the effects of spanking has typically found small adverse effects on child outcomes. However, media reports have often exaggerated the magnitude of these effects, leading to the belief that spanking is universally harmful. Further, such reports have conflated research on spanking with research on abuse, reporting the results of studies on harsher forms of physical punishment as if they were focused on ordinary spanking.
One particular issue that has lead to this misleading portrayal of spanking is that previous studies used incorrect statistical methods. The typically used methods assumed that all children share the same baseline level of the outcome variable of focus, but this is clearly not the case. Children may have different temperaments, abilities, and experiences, all of which may impact their outcomes.
Recent research that has addressed this issue by accounting for these differences has found that, when done correctly, spanking does not appear to have adverse effects on child outcomes. In fact, some research has even suggested that spanking may have beneficial effects, particularly when used moderately as part of an authoritative parenting style.
Authoritative parenting, characterized by high levels of warmth and high levels of control, has consistently been found by research to be the optimal parenting style. Interestingly, research on authoritative parenting has found that spanking is often used by authoritative parents, which suggests that spanking can be an important part of effective parenting. In fact, there is actually no evidence that authoritative parenting can be achieved at all without spanking, as research on authoritative parenting has found that all authoritative parents spank their children when needed.
It’s important to note that spanking should not be used as a first resort, and should only be used occasionally, as part of a larger disciplinary plan. It should also never be used to discipline children under the age of two, or used to the point of injury.
In conclusion, the effects of spanking on child outcomes have been largely misunderstood and misrepresented. Recent research suggests that, when used correctly as part of an authoritative parenting style, spanking does not have adverse effects and may even be beneficial for children. It is important for parents to understand the complexities of spanking in order to use it responsibly as part of their disciplinary plan. When used as a backup tool for other methods such as time-outs, the latest research has shown that spanking can be an effective disciplinary tactic that does not lead to adverse side effects. However, the risks of adverse effects grow when used excessively, so it should not be used as a first resort.
