Spanking: Borderline Child Abuse

A corporal punishment or otherwise called a spanking is a quick strike or swat to the buttocks with an open hand or object. This action is usually administered to children as a form of punishment to afflict a poor behavior or action. Spanking is a controversial subject between parents and researchers. This form of punishment is considered borderline child abuse because of its negative outcomes and effects. Parents who use corporal punishments on their children can cause poor behavior in school, development problems, and aggressive behaviors in general.
Few parents agree that corporal punishment is a type of child abuse. When used properly and in the correct circumstances, spanking can be an effective form of punishment. A spanking that is received when a parent is calm, rather than when the parent is angry and quick to action is more controlled and stable (Spank or Not to Spank). Verbal punishment can be more harmful than physical ones. Being verbally assaulted can cause self-esteem or emotional issues (When Parents Lift Their Hands). Frequent uses of verbal punishments can become ineffective and hurtful as it can attack a child’s sense of pride and
character (When Parents Lift Their Hands). Children who are spanked frequently at home are more likely to misbehave and show aggression in school. A study conducted in 1997 linked spanking to antisocial and aggressive behavior in school (When Parents Lift Their Hands). This study lead to the conclusion that children who withstood corporal punishments were more likely to get into fights at school (When Parents Lift Their Hands). As the frequency of spanking increases at home, the aggression in school increases along with it (Spank or Not to Spank). Another study, conducted by Murray A. Straus concluded that children that are between ages 6 to 9 whose mothers spanked them were more likely to participate in antisocial behavior such as bullying, lying, or cheating as opposed to children who were not spanked (Spanking the Anti Spankers). Straus states that corporal punishment is not only unsuccessful to improve behavior but can make a child’s behavior worse (Spanking the Anti Spankers). As corporal punishments are used more often to young children, it can inhibit their brain development. After a two year study in 1999, children from ages 2 to 9 who were spanked did not develop as rapidly as the children who were not spanked (When Parents Lift Their Hands). Another study in 2003, concluded that corporal punishments in infants under the age of one could have immense impact on brain chemistry (When Parents Lift Their Hands). This study found that the young infants spanked frequently had a higher level of a stress hormone when put into an intense or worry some situation (When Parents Lift Their Hands). The more the children are spanked, the slower the brain development and the more easily frightened they are (When Parents Lift Their Hands). Corporal punishments can lead to poor behavior in general.
“Spanking can escalate toward physical abuse, potentially injuring the child, and can contribute to later emotional and behavioral problems according to the American Academy of Pediatrics” (Parents Lift Their Hands). Children who were spanked frequently absorb this behavior of physically lashing out when they are upset, using force to solve their problems. As the children get older, these aggressive behaviors can become more serious as they begin to exemplify around friends and family. The adults who were admitted to corporal punishments as children are more likely to be involved in domestic violence with their partners (Spank or Not to Spank). The more often children are spanked the more aggressive they will most likely become (When Parents Lift Their
Hands). Although the popularity of spanking has decreased it is still commonly used. When executed sparingly and in the proper circumstances corporal punishment can be undoubtedly effective. Since the majority of parents use the punishment too frequently it has been known for causing negative side effects to the child’s future thus creating its controversy. The form of punishment can not only effect a child physically, but mentally as well. Parents who use corporal punishments on their children can cause poor behavior in school, development problems, and aggressive behaviors in general.