The Prevalence And Consequences Of Corporal Punishment In America

Introduction

After reviewing the literature on the topic of corporal punishment and other disciplinary methods of parenting in the United States, the prevalence and consequences of corporal punishment are evident. I will be discussing my findings from my literature review on physical punishment and will examine parental disciplinary methods with the most beneficial outcomes to families and children. I have discovered an overwhelming amount of studies have established the fact and reach the conclusion that corporal punishment is linked to negative results in the development and success of American children. Consequently, I will present the literature that exhibits the conclusion I have reached. The consequences of corporal punishment parental method are not linked to the most beneficial outcomes to children and families.

Parenting prevalence

Regarding the statistical prevalence of corporal punishments by parents in the United States, I have identified the number of instances corporal punishment the average child receives in a year. Specifically, the number of spankings the average preschooler receives in a year. The average preschooler received 150 spankings a year. In regard to the number of 13- and 14-year-olds who are still occasionally spanked I discovered the proportion 1 in 2. Such statistics albeit belonging to a past period are indicative of the prevalence of corporal punishment in the United States. According to Gershoff (2010) “by the time American children reach middle and high school, eighty-five percent have been physically punished by their parents.” Concerning related outcomes or consequences to family dynamics and to children of this parental discipline I have discovered the effects of corporal punishment. The analysis of Gershoff (2010) noted eight-seven percent of studies found that parents’ use of corporal punishment was associated long-term with worse child behavior.

Family and Child Outcomes

As well Healey (2012) states research suggests, “Children who are spanked, hit or pushed as a means of discipline may be at an increased risk of mental problems in adulthood- from mood and anxiety disorders to drug and alcohol abuse.” Such research suggests the emotional, behavioral, and social outcomes children experience when corporeal parenting is used are negative. Children subjected to corporal punishment are more at risk of mental health problems related to having underwent physical punishment. Parenting methods which parents do not engage in corporal punishment such as yelling, threatening, and hitting are related to positive outcomes. Whilst, “Several studies indicate that harsh disciplinary practices are related to negative child outcomes such as delinquency, low self-esteem, and academic failure. Reviewing the literature on corporal punishment I have discovered when corporeal parenting is used versus the outcomes of other parenting methods used to be more damaging and detrimental to the child.

Evidence Based Parenting

Studies suggest, “Harsh parenting is among the most reliable correlates of child aggressive and disruptive behavior.” Overwhelmingly, studies time after time reveal corporal punishment to be detrimental to children. Studies on the subject of parenting support the view of shaping children behavior using other methods other than corporal punishment to be more effective and successful. For example, such as authoritative parenting. Authoritative parenting administers fair and consistent discipline and is absent of punishment intended to cause physical pain. Baumrind (1993) discovered, “Authoritative parents who are highly demanding and highly responsive were remarkably successful in protecting their adolescence from problem drug use, and in generating competence.

What I learned

A considerable amount of research indicates corporal punishment is both harmful and detrimental to the development of children. The facts and statistics collected together show other methods of parental discipline to be more favorable in the process of developing children. The evidence shows corporal punishment is not the most successful and effective method to prevent future behavioral problems in children. Research regarding the corporal punishment method indicates the method includes harm to the children in most cases. Such research on corporal punishment and other parenting styles is of great benefit and value. What I learned most is discipline styles have important effects on the ways that children develop.

References

1. Bottom lines. (1996). Psychology Today, 29(3), 18. Retrieved from https://search-ebscohost-com.proxyiub.uits.iu.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=9605026315&site=ehost-live&scope=site
2. Gershoff, E. T. (2010). More Harm Than Good: A Summary of Scientific Research on the Intended and Unintended Effects of Corporal Punishment on Children. Law & Contemporary Problems, 73(2), 31–56. Retrieved from https://search-ebscohost-com.proxyiub.uits.iu.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=57803490&site=ehost-live&scope=site
3. Michelle Healy, & USA TODAY. (n.d.). Spanking’s effects can linger. USA Today. Retrieved from https://search-ebscohost-com.proxyiub.uits.iu.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=J0E200473947312&site=ehost-live&scope=site
4. Simons, R., Beaman, J., Conger, R., & Chao, W. (1993). Childhood Experience, Conceptions of Parenting, and Attitudes of Spouse as Determinants of Parental Behavior. Journal of Marriage and Family, 55(1), 91-106. doi:10.2307/352961
5. Erath, S., El-Sheikh, M., & Cummings, E. (2009). Harsh Parenting and Child Externalizing Behavior: Skin Conductance Level Reactivity as a Moderator. Child Development, 80(2), 578-592. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org.proxyiub.uits.iu.edu/stable/29738635
6. Baumrind, D. (1991). The Influence of Parenting Style on Adolescent Competence and Substance Use. The Journal of Early Adolescence, 11(1), 56–95. https://doi.org/10.1177/0272431691111004