Corporal punishment has long been criticized due to its negative impact on children’s self-esteem and psychological development. Studies have revealed that corporal punishment of children only establishes short-term compliance but not in long-term arrangement.
Many psychologists suggested that this act offers only limited effectiveness in contrast to its bigger negative ramifications. They believe that the more children have experienced spanking, the more likely they would grow to be violent and vulnerable to stress compared to those children who haven’t experienced being spanked.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) said that all methods of corporal punishment are completely unacceptable and should never be used either in school or at home. The AAP believes that there are more constructive ways to discipline an erring child instead of physically punishing them.
There is one recent study which revealed that spanking has been associated by increased of substance abuse and vulnerability to commit crime and violence. The research suggested that those children who experienced extreme spanking often grow to become aggressive to their spouses and children and have increased marital problems.
In the US and in most part of Europe, corporal punishment has been banned in juvenile facilities, schools, child care institutions, etc. since it has been proven that this act is more likely to train children to use physical violence as a way to let people comply with them and may also result to a low self-esteem.
A recent research study (conducted in US) had asked 111 mothers to say what they think about corporal punishment. Forty percent of them said that they would not really opt for physical punishment, adding that they are just carried away by the situation every time they physically punish their children.
Most psychologists believe that corporal punishment may result in: resentment against the parents resulting in a more rebellious behavior; using physical violence to assert one’s self; and decreased interest of children to use peaceful means to resolve a conflict.
The AAP stated that corporal punishment undermines other forms of disciplinary act in which may be even more constructive compared to the former. It also said that the use of physical violence for disciplining children may result into a more addictive effect since many studies revealed that children may experience more craving for physical pain which will in turn force them to provoke their parents more.
According to AAP, children would often build greater immunity to corporal punishment; this means that parents who opt for this kind of disciplinary act must increased the severity of the physical pain to make it more effective. By doing this systematic increased of inflicting pain, this will eventually lead to abuse that may do more harm to children.
Another negative impact of corporal punishment, according to those people who oppose this, is the building of greater gap between children and their parents which will result to a more distant relationship.
