Friday, April 03, 2009

The spanking wars: anti group rolls out a meta-analysis

Carolyn Moynihan

The latest shot in the spanking wars has been fired by the US anti-spanking group End Physical Punishment of Children, through a review of existing research on the subject. The national lobby group suggested the idea of the meta-analysis to Elizabeth Gershoff of the University of Michigan (but did not fund the study) and she found that corporal punishment is not a good way to improve a child's behaviour...

However, the Family Research Council points out:Ironically, though, the research did not focus on spanking at all, but on "physical punishment." The study explicitly lumps together words like "spank," "slap," "beat," "punch," and "whip," treating them as if they are all the same thing...

Dr Gershoff, a mother of two, affirms the importance of discipline and suggests parents raise their voice or immediately take something away from the child to get their attention. Hmmm. But what if a toddler throws a tantrum precisely because you took something away from them, and what if they can make more noise than you? Isn't that the time for a short, sharp smack to snap them out of it? That's what 70 per cent of US adults still think, despite the campaign against such correction. ~ Arizona Republic, Mar 19

http://www.mercatornet.com/family_edge/the_spanking_wars_anti_group_rolls_out_a_meta_analysis/#comments

3 comments:

Christine said...

If spanking worked- you wouldn't have to do it over and over and over again like most people I know. It promotes anger and resentment- two feelings I don't want to bring out in my children. I get the same or better results from the method of discipline that doesn't rely on hitting. Hitting is an easy, momentary fix. Gentle discipline is harder short-term but the results are long lasting.

Caryn and Nate said...

Discipline and training should guide all spanking. This means the parents should act in love to protect the child from the effects of bad behavior. The parent should be under control and acting to correct harmful behavior. In this way, spanking stops more bad behavior. If done correctly, obedience will be encouraged and spanking will be less needed.

Anonymous said...

Caryn and Nate, I agree wholeheartedly. Thank you for your comment.