Murray Strauss, author of the research studies, hopes that this information will get the attention of child development experts.

Can spanking actually cause someone to have deviate behaviors in adulthood? The answer seems to be yes.

American Psychological Association

Murray Strauss, author of four studies on spanking, presented at the American Psychological Association’s Summit on Violence and Abuse in Relationships in Bethesda, Maryland on February 28, 2008. The results of the studies are amazing. All studies state that sexual behaviors are somehow linked to spanking.

"This adds one more harmful side effect to spanking. It’s amazing. Something experienced by all American kids gets an average of half a page in child development textbooks, and not a single one comes to the conclusion that parents should never spank," said Dr. Strauss in his presentation.

Strauss is the co-director of the Family Research Laboratory at the University of New Hampshire in Durham. [Amanda Gardner, "HealthDay", health.msn.com, February 28, 2008]

Dr. Benjamin Spock

The damage of spanking is not a new topic in child development. Over a generation ago, Dr. Benjamin Spock repeatedly stated, "If we are ever to turn toward a kindlier society and a safer world, a revulsion against the physical punishment of children would be a good place to start." [stophitting.com]

University of Michigan

Assistant Professor Elizabeth Gershoff at the University of Michigan’s School of Social Work states, "I think it (the research) is pretty powerful. It’s across several studies and across different forms of either risky or deviant sexual behavior." [Amanda Gardner, "HealthDay", health.msn.com, February 28, 2008]

Gershoff found that there is a 93% agreement among studies on spanking. It is rare to find to find such agreement in research. Overwhelming research shows that spanking can lead to:

• Delinquent behavior
• Anti-social behavior
• Aggression
• Criminal behavior
• Spousal abuse
• Child abuse

Frequent spanking and corporal punishment have been shown to lead to:

• Increased probability of coercing a dating partner to have sex
• Risky sex (not using protection)
• Masochistic sex

Schools using corporal punishment should perhaps rethink this policy as a form of discipline.

[Amanda Gardner, "HealthDay", health.msn.com, February 28, 2008]

Correlation?

Is there a correlation between frequency of the spankings and deviant behaviors? Strauss states that there is a "dose response." "The more parents spank, the higher the probability of harmful side effects," says Strauss.

How many children are spanked? 90% of parents who have toddlers state that they spank their children.

Is there a link to childhood spanking and adult violence? Yes, there does seem to be a correlation.

• 5% of those who were never spanked hit their partners.
• 25% of those who were spanked hit their partners.

[Amanda Gardner, "HealthDay", health.msn.com, February 28, 2008]

Alternatives To Spanking

Non-violent behavior management works as well as spanking and has no harmful side effects.

• 1-2-3-Magic works beautifully with younger children.
• John Rosemond, author and psychologist, offers successful alternatives to spanking.
• Love and Logic has been very successful in schools and homes.

For more information on alternatives to spanking, visit Center for Effective Discipline.

Related articles: Punishment Doesn't Work, Why Children Lie

Read previous articles on Educational Issues.

Copyright article 2008 Barbara Pytel. All Rights Reserved.