preview

Effects of Corporal Punishment on Children When Used in the Home

Good Essays

Effects of Corporal Punishment on Children When Used in the Home Discussion about corporal punishment is everywhere. It is in the news and in the home, and in education on what is punishment and what is abuse is beginning to rise. Corporal punishment has been used as a disciplinary tool for parents throughout all of America's history (Gershoff, 2002, p. 1). However, the definition of what corporal punishment actually is, is still unclear to some people and parents. In Wendy Walsh's essay, "Spanker and Nonspankers: Where They Get Information on Spanking," she defines corporal punishment as "the use of physical force with the intention of causing a child to experience pain, but not injury, for purposes of correction or control of the …show more content…

Also, as previously stated, behavioral compliance is only a short term fix for the problem, which means that corporal punishment will continually be necessary to stop unwanted behaviors or actions from occurring. Frequently using corporal punishment, such as spanking, to stop unwanted behaviors inflicts pain on children and may teach them that it is all right to cause other people pain (Walsh, 2002). There have also been a number of psychological and social problems associated with corporal punishments from parents. These problems range from physical aggression to delinquency, depression, and other antisocial behaviors (Walsh, 2002). Walsh also states that corporal punishment is an ineffective child behavior management tool due to its potentially harmful effects. She says her research "indicates that spankings may work against what parents are trying to achieve" (2002, p. 82). Her findings seemed to specify that there were more incidents with child aggression and maladaptive behaviors where corporal punishment was used as discipline. Another negative effect of corporal punishment is the parent-child relationship. Not only can corporal punishment (remember this can consist of slaps on the hand or leg, spanking on the buttocks, pinching, shaking, hitting on the buttocks with a belt or paddle and slapping in the face)

Get Access