Preview

The Effects of Using Physical Punishment to Discipline Children

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
914 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
The Effects of Using Physical Punishment to Discipline Children
Kelli Strand April 15, 2012
ENG 102
Essay 1 Final Draft The effects of using physical punishment to discipline children When deciding on how to discipline children you have to ask yourself some questions. Does the discipline stop the behavior? How many times have you received physical punishment for discipline as a kid? How many times have you repeated the bad behavior you received physical punishment for? Physical punishment also known as corporal punishment is defined as a kind of physical punishment that involves the deliberate infliction of pain for the purpose of discipline. Using physical punishment to discipline children devalues the child, it makes children more aggressive, and it also has bad long-term effects. When parents use physical punishment it devalues the child. The Childs self-image begins with how they perceive that their parents and others perceive them. Children’s perceptions of the parent’s wishes matter, as some misbehavior may be due to lack of parental clarity. When physical punishment is repeated over and over again it sends a message to the child that they are weak and defenseless. Physical punishment also causes a decreased in quality of the parent-child relationship. This is big issue because most physical punishment happens between 5:00PM and bedtime, which comprises the majority of parent-child time together for most children.
Kelli Strand April 15, 2012
Devaluing and Humiliating punishment is defined as “any form of offensive, denigrating, devaluing, stigmatizing or mocking, treatment, carried out to raise or educate children and young people, with the aim of disciplining, controlling or changing their behavior”. A child that receives physical punishment



Cited: Gershoff, E. T. Corporal Punishment by Parents and Associated Child Behaviors and Experiences: A Meta-Analytic and Theoretical Review. Psychological Bulletin, 128(4), 539-579 Baumrind, D., Larzelere, R. E., & Cowan, P. A. Ordinary Physical Punishment: Is It Harmful? Comment on Gershoff (2002). Psychological Bulletin, 128(4), 580-589 Holden, G. W. Perspectives on the Effects of Corporal Punishment: Comment on Gershoff (2002). Psychological Bulletin, 128(4), 590-595 Parke, R. D. Punishment Revisited-Science, Values, and the Right Question: Comment on Gershoff (2002). Psychological Bulletin, 128(4), 596-601

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Better Essays

    A study by the Child Abuse and Neglect, published in 2011, confirmed with research that children who are subjected to physical punishment are more likely to use the same course of action to solve their problems as compared to those who were not subjected to physical…

    • 1848 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Response to Bell Hooks

    • 1022 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Simple physical punishments; such as pinching, flicking, and spanking, are carried out on us at a very young age, and all throughout life. Our parents are here to discipline us, to teach us the difference of right and wrong. When we first misbehave, our parents might tell us to “knock it off” or “stop” and they may raise their voice when asserting these commands. We sometimes stop when told to, but sometimes we ignore their commands and keep misbehaving repeatedly. This is where physical punishment comes into play. A form of physical punishment would and will be carried out on us. At first it may be a simple punishment, but gradually the punishments intensify. Once a punishment has been carried out, many of us become cloaked in fear of punishment and from this fear we learn not to do that mistake again. Simple punishment is used for the good of children and to discipline them, “Dr. David Safir, father of five and grandfather of five, CNN asked him to talk to us about his views on spanking. He said he was spanked as a child, spanked his own children when necessary and believes the occasional use of physical punishment -- not abuse -- can be an effective tool for parents” (Zeidler) If these simple punishments are executed out…

    • 1022 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    It has also been shown that physical punishment is not always a result of children's undesirable behavior. Moreover, it is the result of extraneous pressures on the parent. It has been shown that financial problems, unemployment, and stress are all directly related to child abuse. This displacement of aggression from the appropriate source is particularly destructive because it is conditioning without a prompt to act on. When a child is continually punished for doing nothing wrong, punishment carries no real weight. When the child does begin to show undesirable behavior, it will then be unpreventable by means of physical punishment. All the child has been conditioned to fear is their parents. Displacement can also occur in the victim of the punishment. The child cannot strike back at its parent, so to displace anger; the child may lash out at siblings, teachers, coaches or others who do not threaten physical punishment in return.…

    • 465 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Children who are spanked grow into adulthood with mental and emotional disorders that affect them and those surrounding them for life. Childhood experiences are thought to influence the development of mental health problems later in life. Whether people agree or disagree on spanking research findings from past years, they show at least nine reasons that physical punishment should not be used on children with corporal punishment. The purpose of this paper is to gather information from already completed research to help add a new level of understanding. Many variables play a role in why…

    • 2209 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Corporal punishment is lawful and acceptable as long as it is done for the reason of correction or for discipline. It is considered reasonable as long as the child is at an appropriate age and the method used is acceptable, and the child is able to understand the punishment. For spanking to be effective it should be painful, this ensures that the child will not repeat the behavior they were earlier corrected for. Some parents justify spanking their children as a necessary means to modify a child’s behavior. For example, if your child required a shot from the doctor due to necessary treatment, chances are the child will cry upon receiving the shot. However, this is required to help the child. Some feel that spanking is the same way; and a necessary evil to help the child it is intended to cause pain, and to modify behavior.…

    • 1301 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Conduct Disorders can be found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manuel for Mental Disorders (DSM). Conduct Disorder are characterized by often bullying and threatening others, lying, cheating, steals, often initiates fights, and violation of rules (Sue, Sue, Sue, & Sue, 2010). The question is asked: Does spanking children lead to cognitive and behavioral problems? The purpose of this paper is to conduct a critical analysis of the literature presented in order to answer the question raised. The steps to be taken to answer the question are (1) review the articles as they relate to the topic (Bodovski&Youn, 2010; Gershoff, Sexton, Davis-Kean & Sameroff, 2012; McLoyd, Kaplan, Hardaway, &Wood,2007; Whaley, 2000; (2) compare and contrast the different and how they significantly relate and contribute to the topic; 3) last but not lease arrive at a conclusion based on the articles strengths and weaknesses. My hypothesis is that children receiving spankings are not likely to have cognitive and behavioral problems. The next section conveys the review of the literature on the cognitive and behavior affects for…

    • 1870 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    A parent may use corporal punishment on his or her child in order to teach the child to be a specific way that would increase the child’s success and ability to survive (therefore increasing competitive advantage and chances for natural selection). Usually parents desire the success of their children and will try to teach and shape them in a way that will make them more competitive…

    • 1801 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    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…

    • 696 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    There are many different theories on the author Edgar Allen Poe’s death. The theories go from drugs to alcohol, to brain tumors, to suicide. There is different evidence on the theories, but no one will ever know the real cause.…

    • 205 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    Writing Assignment #4

    • 1712 Words
    • 7 Pages

    “Corporal punishment remains a widely used discipline technique in most American families, but it has also been a subject of controversy within the child development and psychological communities.” (Gershoff) Corporal punishment is not only spanking your child but it is the effects that hitting your child can have. Studies have shown multiple outcomes of corporal punishment, some which have not resulted to be positive. There is so much behind disciplining a child stemming from emotions, force, and frequency. A child should not be disciplined to the severity where it will in turn affect them for the rest of their lives. Corporal punishment is severely damaging physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially to children and should not be allowed in any home.…

    • 1712 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Spanking Children

    • 2666 Words
    • 11 Pages

    Some parents spank their kids when they do not listen or obey parents. However, other parents hit them without right reason such as an alcoholic parents beat them, and it can be considered child abuse. According to the article, it shows ninety percent of parents that admit to spanking when children are hit as a mean of correction. In the pros, the supporters believe spanking would stop children from misbehaving and correct their mistakes; these children would listen and obey to parents. The experts expect fifty percentages of parents that admit to spank teenagers who are between thirteen and fourteen years old. On the other hand, in the cons, spanking is considered as a child abuse, which the victim is living in fear of his or her parents. Some studies show ninety-three percentages of agreement that spanking has harmful effects to children (“Pros and Cons”). Mild spanking has an immediate compliance of the child. Every parent wants his/her child to become a successful person when he/she grows up. For example, some children are stubborn and disobedient which makes parents angry about their bad behavior. Especially, the children who are three or younger have been spanked a lot of times; parents mostly use hands to hit them on arm butt, hands, feet, or legs. Some people consider spanking helps children who are between the teenagers’ ages to understand what is right or wrong. Moreover, they can learn lessons from their parents’ advice and teaching. According to the researchers quoted by Dr. Zeidler said he was spanked when he was a little boy. He also approved, “Spanking children as needed when necessary and believes the occasional use of physical punishment-not abuse-can be an effective tool for parents” (Zeidler). The author argues that parents have the responsibility to teach their children in the correct way, especially not using any weapon. If parents…

    • 2666 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Prw Paper

    • 838 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Accumulated research supports the theory that corporal punishment is an ineffective discipline strategy with children of all ages and, furthermore, that it is often dangerous. Corporal punishment most often produces in its victims anger, resentment, and low self-esteem. It teaches violence and revenge as solutions to problems, and perpetuates itself, as children imitate what they see adults doing. Research substantiates the following consequences of corporal punishment:…

    • 838 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Your 8-year-old refuses to put away her toys. Your 11-year-old isn 't turning in his homework on time. Your 16-year-old has come home late for the third time in a row. One of the biggest challenges in raising children is providing proper discipline. Punishment sometimes comes in the form of name calling, isolating a child, or using physical force, may or may not give you immediate results. There has been increasing debate about how we can effectively discipline children - and the rights and wrongs of corporal punishment. This paper will look at (1) the change in societal views of corporal punishment of children (2) the effects of corporal punishment on children, and (3) alternatives to the use of corporal punishment on…

    • 2682 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    Pros and Cons of Spanking

    • 1006 Words
    • 5 Pages

    The theory of discipline has been debated for decades. Arguments over how it should be carried out and how harsh it should be has been discussed. One aspect of discipline has been shoved into the dark, the effect on the child. No matter how much it is spoken of children remember what happened to them in their childhood. Whether they were pleasant or not can lead to problems later in life. One debate that shall soon be settled deals with the spanking of children.…

    • 1006 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Better Essays

    Corporal Punishment

    • 1309 Words
    • 6 Pages

    The history of corporal punishment in the early years it was unclear, that practice was recorded as early as 10th century BC and was certainly present in classical civilization, being used for both judicial and educational discipline. Later in the 19th century corporal punishment was reduced a consequence in the reduction of corporal punishment was due to two known cases of death do to corporal punishment which led to the opposition to punishment. And even into the 20th century some states corporal punishment is legal within schools and homes. In the UK corporal punishment has been abolished altogether, but in the U.S. it’s still legalized in several states (Chapman and Hall, London 1963, An essay on Nature and education pp. 34-35).…

    • 1309 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays

Related Topics