Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child?

Hicks-Pass, S. (2009). Corporal Punishment in America Today: Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child? A Systematic Review of the Literature. Best Practice in Mental Health: An International Journal, 5(2), 71-88.

Our discussion on spanking and aggression sparked an interest to research this heated topic further. The article discusses both sides of the issue and is quick to point out further research is needed. This archival study researches and summarizes articles dealing with detrimental, positive, and negative effects of corporal punishment on children.

The decision and reason to spank or not to spank is different for everyone. This article points out spanking and corporal punishment, frequency and severity can be interpreted differently. For most people, there is a difference between spanking (an occasional swat on the bum), in a disciplinary measure as compared to regular beatings for no reason. Some might argue both are child abuse and will have long-term detrimental effects on the child.

This article made an interesting point. If in 1999, 94% of parents spanked and spanking causes aggression, suicidal tendencies, and psychiatric symptoms, then what factors account for the fact that 94% of the population is not suicidal, aggressive, or depressed? The article then points out that “if spanking is done in a context of strong emotional support for the child, it does not appear to contribute to a significant increase in behavior problems.” The quality of parental involvement is another contributing factor to spanking not having a long term negative effect on a child. This supports that one can spank correctly if they choose to use this form of discipline.