Another new study shows that spanking creates aggressive children. A study of 17,000 kids adds weight to the already strong evidence about spanking.
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/early_years/2013/07/spanking_creates_aggressive_children.html
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Thanks for the link... I'm curious if they mean a small smack on the hand/butt, or full on spanking.
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@BabyBoecksMom: Probably full on spanking, I know WAY more people who were spanked than not spanked, and they're all well adjusted people..When I see these studies I can't help but think that the people they're interviewing are thinking of spanking being similar to being beaten. Which it is not.
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Yeah I was spanked, but was never aggressive or got into fights ever. Same for my siblings and many people I know. I also know people who were never spanked and they are aggressive so I think its all about the way the spanking is done. I dont think a little smack on the wrist automatically makes a child aggressive. But I'm definitely not the expert on this
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@MrsTiz: Yes I agree with you 100%
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Anecdotal evidence does not substitute for scientific evidence. I'm glad to see this study.
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@DigAPony: agreed on both counts!
@Mrs. Jacks: Thanks for the link!! Looking forward to reading the study...
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@MrsTiz: @Mrsbells: I agree with both of you.
Though we're undecided on what we'll do in our home.
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@BabyBoecksMom: I'm curious too. This blurb doesn't give very good info. What constitutes a spanking? What kind of parenting style/lifestyle are these kids exposed to?
I appreciate scientific studies, but I wouldn't blindly base my parenting decisions on them.
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@DigAPony: On the same token, correlation does not equal causation.
Just playing devil's advocate.
Im interested to read it. Thanks for the link.
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Thanks for the link!
I wonder though could there be other factors? I know that spanking is more acceptable depending on where you live, but maybe in the places aggression is also a pretty acceptable way to deal with problems?
I'm just throwing it out there.
I was spanked/beaten as kid when I misbehaved but where I live it's not okay to deal with issues with agressive behavior so maybe that's why I turned out okayish?
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@Raindrop: lol @ "okayish"
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@zippylef: true! Also, anecdotal evidence, among other things, leads me to believe there are many other factors at play which determine whether a child will become aggressive.. Like, why are the parents spanking, how else do they deal with conflict.... Haven't read t yet though, on my phone right now.
That said, I don't plan to spank simply because I feel it's less productive than other methods of guidance.
*among not Amon, spanking not spamming
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@MrsTiz:
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@BabyBoecksMom: haha I thought the same.
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@MrsTiz: Completely agree.... I don't hold much merit in these studies. Just too many variables.
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Know that they control for all the other factors that you guys bring up in the good spanking studies.
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Here's a nice summary of many of the papers made understandable. The weight of the evidence is becoming very impressive.
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@Mrs. Jacks: Ditto. It would be hard to be published in a peer reviewed journal otherwise.
And even if spanking is just one of the factors in creating aggressive children - why not take one more thing out of the equation?
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I know that this will probably rub some people the wrong way, but no matter how many studies I see stating that spanking is bad, it's a form of discipline that I will choose to use in our household.
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Interesting. Sending these links to DH. His idea's of punishment are kind of old school. DS has been spanked twice for doing dangerous things...only by DH. It stresses me out to read these studies but it's also an eye opener.
I wouldn't say I'm aggressive from being spanked as a child. I think I'm nurturing and gentle but then again, I don't think my parents ever spanked me while angry or to hurt me.
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I grew up in a no-spanking household, and I will run mine the same way. I am glad to see more studies to back up my plans. I know that even with no hand ever laid on any of us in punishment, my parents raised 3 well adjusted, polite, and happy kids that all went on to be successful adults
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We are not going to spank. We can't see anything positive coming from it.
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What I take away from this is: Spanking may be a factor in creating aggression. This does not mean that every child who is spanked will grow up to be aggressive, but it may raise the chances. Other studies have pointed to possible links to future depression, self worth issues, and other negative outcomes.
Therefore, since there are plenty of other (arguably more effective anyway) forms of discipline, why risk my child's chances at growing up as a mentally healthy and happy adult?
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@HabesBabe: everyone has to make their own choices. Just hopefully you make them with eyes wide open to the consequences.
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@Mrs. Jacks: Thanks for posting, this is really interesting! For us it confirms what we already know we'll be doing but it's always good to read more research.
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I usually ignore posts like these but since @mrs. jacks posted it, I actually read it.
We are pretty sure we are a no spanking household. For me, it's because of our tempers. Neither of us are very good at holding in our tempers and I'm afraid if we say spanking is okay that we will use it inappropriately. I enjoy reading studies about it that lean this way because it is something I can keep in the back of my mind when I get frustrated or upset and want to lash out with my hand instead of taking a breath and talking or walking away.
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I was smacked with whatever was in my mom's hand. I specifically remember the hair brush (in the mornings) and the fly swatter (eewwww!!!). I'm totally fine and my sister and I laugh about it now with my mom.
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@HabesBabe: same. Don't feel bad, it will absolutely be used in our home
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@mediagirl: you are too sweet! I also don't have an easily controllable temper if I'm not careful and grew up in an environment where discipline and aggression were a confusing blend.
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@HabesBabe: It's a personal parenting decision. In decisions like these, there is no right or wrong (assuming there is no abuse taking place).
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This is interesting. I am still on the fence. I want to try to parent without spanking, but I don't think it is necessarily wrong across the board. It's such a slippery slope though.
@Mrs. Jacks: I know you said these studies control for variables, but I wonder what the correlation is between spanking and families in poverty, who have been shown to have higher rates of aggression/anger problems, usually due to stress. I'm not trying to pass sweeping judgment, but I feel like spanking implemented rarely by well-adjusted, educated parents might be different than those doled out by parents who are frustrated, stressed and may not have access to other parenting tools.
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@daniellemybelle: it's a good question. So yes, those families spank more, are more distressed and the kids have worse outcomes. That is totally not in dispute. However when you control for SES, family chaos and stress, you see the same effects. So if you took a set of families that made $150,000/ year and had their kids in private schools and had two parent families with relatively the same stress levels and half of them spanked an half of them didn't, you see the same effect. That's the benefit of these big studies that can control for all these factors.
Does that help answer the question?
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@Mrs. Jacks: very interesting! i've already chosen not to spank for other reasons (i think it's less effective than other tools & sends messages i'm not comfortable with), but this is a nice study to support my decision.
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Wow, I shared this article on Facebook and people are being downright nasty about it! It seems that those without a medical or scientific background are the ones who are saying this is "junk research".
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@Mrs. Jacks: Thanks for answering that question! That is good, and interesting, to know.
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@boiledpnut: I'm so sorry you are getting flak
@daniellemybelle: You are welcome! -
I'd like to know more about the other discipline methods. All I know is spanking with a spoon, a studded belt, on a bare butt, etc....not ok with that!
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@Mrs. Jacks: Thank you for this. I sent this to my husband. We disagree on spanking (though I win by default:). He also thinks it's okay that his mom chased him around the house and hit him with any object she could find, including fists.
I've never hit LO, but I can see the swat on the rump after rushing out in the street or going to touch a hot oven. If she's about to do something dangerous I normally just remove her completely from the situation and tell her No, it's hot or explain (even though I know she doesn't get it yet).
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@Mrs. Jacks: thanks for sharing! Really interesting and I'd love to read more! I found the peak age of 3 to be interesting! My old school dad thought spanking would work throughout HS even! Of course it just caused more issues and we all eventually could stand up for ourselves.
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73 comments