Parenting Styles - Corporal Punishment for Kids

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

http://shine.yahoo.com/parenting/spanking-linked-mental-illness-says-study-175900352.html

Spanking Linked to Mental Illness, Says Study

Although the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) strongly discourages spanking, at least half of parents admit to physically punishing their children. Some research suggests that as many as 70-90 percent of mothers have resorted to spanking at one time or another. A new study published in the journal Pediatrics may cause parents to think more carefully before laying a hand on their little ones.

Researchers examined data from more than 34,000 adults and found that being spanked significantly increased the risk of developing mental health issues as adults. According to their results, corporal punishment is associated with mood disorders, including depression and anxiety, as well as personality disorders and alcohol and drug abuse. They estimate that as much as 7 percent of adult mental illness may be attributable to childhood physical punishment, including slapping, shoving, grabbing, and hitting. The study reports that spanking ups the risk of major depression by 41 percent, alcohol and drug abuse by 59 percent, and mania by 93 percent, among other findings.

"We're not talking about just a tap on the bum," study author Tracie Afifi, PhD, of the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, explained in a statement. "We were looking at people who used physical punishment as a regular means to discipline their children." However, the analysis excluded individuals who reported more severe maltreatment such as physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, physical neglect, emotional neglect, or exposure to intimate partner violence.

"It definitely points to the direction that physical punishment should not be used on children of any age," said Afifi. Researchers concluded, "It is important for pediatricians and other healthcare providers who work with children and parents to be aware of the link between physical punishment and mental disorders."

The physical punishment of children is legal in the United States, although it is banned in at least 24 other countries. It's worth noting that 19 states also allow corporal punishment in schools. Earlier studies have linked spanking toddlers to increased aggression in older children. Spare the rod, spare the child?

Despite the research, do you think spanking is okay?

Caught this on the Yahoo feed and thought it might bring up some discussion.  Even though the article mentions 'abuse', that's not what I want the focus on, I'd like to really keep the focus on 'spanking' as a form of punishment.  I was as a child/teenager, both in my home and at school (through my senior year, I'd like to point out).  I use it in my own home, with my own child as a last resort and have zero problem with it if used 'correctly'.  I know our opinion on correct will vary, but I see it as a last resort for something that my son does that could actually cause him harm if he continues doing it;  meaning that I would never use a spanking for leaving his room messy or not doing the dishes right. 

Example: He's allowed a lot of freedom, especially for a 12yo, but he's earned it.  He has specific check in times and places that he is and isn't allowed to go - I'm absolutely inflexible about this.  When (yeah, no kid's an angel) he gets busted and I know he's lying (due to his phone's GPS) is when he typically gets a... reinforced message about where he's supposed to be and to not lie about it.  It's handled in a calm manner, he knows it's coming in advance, but it's still violent in nature.   As a kid, I thought my parents lied to me, but it really does hurt as a parent having to use our last resort to get a point across.

What's everyone else's take on this?

[Jason]

I think my beliefs are in parallel with yours.  I have three boys and things can get rowdy at times.  The mischeif and trouble can run rampant if left unchecked (and my sons are fairly calm when compared to others).  Spanking in my house if left for the severe infractions and always come after a cool down period.  Besides, knowing its coming makes it that much worse!  For the most part they've learned their lesson the first time and rarely repeat the bad stuff after being punished.  Now the little things like not cleaning their room, talking back, being rude at dinner, etc earns time in the corner or restrictions.

As a side note, I have very little faith that the articles printed on "corpral" punishment causing mental illness or other issues bear any truth whatsoever.  Too many kids were raised in homes with physical types of punishments and turned out just fine (actually better than many today).  If we compare the respect and manners of an average kid today to kids of earlier generations, the ones before us were MUCH MUCH more well mannered and respectful.  The parents back then were not against a smack in the head or mouth for talking back to their parents or others.  I know my Mom had little patience for rudeness and by learning my lessons at an early age I was more inclined to get praises for good manners versus punishments for bad ones.

Also, I just think its an animalistic side of our human nature to respond faster to physical warnings versus emotional ones, within reason, of course. 

[simms3]

^^^I remember the first day that I was "tougher" than my mom and she couldn't slap/spank me anymore.  That was awesome!  (Not that my mom was abusive, but if I cussed or did something really wrong of course I was going to be slapped/spanked).  My generation and younger are certainly not afraid to be vocal and speak up (probably the most "confident" generations ever), but sometimes that does equate to rudeness.  The line that demarcates societal/generational/positional hierarchy has been eroded with the depletion of corporal punishment and discipline in general.  I keep reading reports of schools doing away with failing grades??  Come on!!  You can't even write an F on someone's paper without getting in trouble nowadays.  Little Leagues that do away with score keeping so there aren't winners and losers?  Really??  We're probably going too far with alternative methods of discipline and related exercises.

By productivity standards the generation in their late 70s through early 90s was the most productive workforce in America's history.  I wonder if there is a corellation between productivity and early discipline, corporal or otherwise.

[NotNow]

Another reason that kids need Fathers.

[Dog Walker]

I've always thought that nature gave us pain sensors so that we could learn from our mistakes.  Both of my parents certainly thought so.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

I've always thought that nature gave us pain sensors so that we could learn from our mistakes.  Both of my parents certainly thought so.

This parent believes that as well.  I remember the first time he really burned himself trying to take something out of the oven.  He was 5 years old, so he definitely understood what 'hot' meant.  I warned him, but I didn't stop him.  I may have even laughed a little, but not because of the burn on his hand, but the hitting his head on the counter overhang when he snapped his head up. 

Two lessons, one session and a bag of ice.  He's never done it again AND he knows how to use pot holders!

The last spanking was because he wasn't where he was supposed to be when he was supposed to be there, and those lessons, if taught by life, can end tragically;  sometimes words just aren't enough.