A meta-analysis involving over 160,000 children found that physical punishment can carry the risk of physical abuse (causing a physical injury) and can have similar negative outcomes for children: mental health and emotional challenges, lower cognitive ability, lower self-esteem, more aggression, more antisocial ...
Not only does hitting kids do little good; it can worsen their long-term behavior. “Children who experience repeated use of corporal punishment tend to develop more aggressive behaviors, increased aggression in school, and an increased risk of mental health disorders and cognitive problems,” Sege said in a statement.
Ephesians 6:4 also reminds us of the ultimate purposes for discipline: “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” Correction of our child's behavior should always be rooted in connection.
Smacking doesn't work. It might force your kid to comply for a short period, but it is not an effective method of preventing the behavior from being repeated. Long term studies have found that not only does spanking not work, it could actually cause your child to have emotional problems later in life.
Physical punishment by a parent towards a child remains lawful under the Criminal Code Act 1924 (s 50), which states: 'It is lawful for a parent or a person in the place of a parent to use, by way of correction, any force towards a child in his or her care that is reasonable in the circumstances. '
It is never positive for children's development. Research evidence overwhelmingly shows that physical punishment such as smacking has negative outcomes. Parents can use a range of other forms of discipline to help children understand why their behaviour is wrong.
But corporal punishment including smacking makes it harder for children to learn and develop well. For example, it can make children angry, anxious and less likely to listen to parents. Also, if children get smacked for lying, they might try not to get caught lying in future.
But as a general guideline, I would suggest that most corporal punishment be finished prior to the first grade (six years old). It should taper off from there and stop when the child is between the ages of ten and twelve. Created with Sketch.
For example, spanking a child when he throws a tantrum is an example of positive punishment. Something is added to the mix (spanking) to discourage a bad behavior (throwing a tantrum).
Corporal or physical punishment is highly prevalent globally, both in homes and schools. Around 60% of children aged 2–14 years regularly suffer physical punishment by their parents or other caregivers.
God gives parents only a few direct commands. One command is stated twice in Scripture. God forbids parents to provoke their children to anger.
Repeatedly, God warns children to honor their parents with loving hearts of obedience (Exodus 20:12, Ephesians 6:2). Mouthy and sarcastic children who demean or belittle their parents' leadership and decision making are clearly on a path to destruction. King David's son, Absalom, is one such example in the Bible.
Colossians 3:21
“Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.”
“Parents don't want to shout or hit their kids. We do it because we're stressed and don't see another way,” says Professor Cluver. The evidence is clear: shouting and hitting simply do not work and can do more harm than good in the long run. Repeated shouting and hitting can even adversely impact a child's entire life.
Increased antisocial behavior. Increased externalizing behavior problems (disruptive or harmful behavior directed at other people or things) Increased internalizing behavior problems (symptoms of anxiety or depression) Child mental health problems.
Dangerous and destructive behaviors should not be ignored. For example, if your child is hurting herself, hurting others, or destroying objects, she should not be ignored. These misbehaviors should be stopped immediately. Other discipline and consequences such as time-out should be used.
Although most students agree that initiating violence is not acceptable, many recommend hitting back as a strategy to deter aggression and bullying. It is not uncommon for parents also to recommend hitting back. Even teachers, when parenting their own children, sometimes advise their children to do this.
Is Slapping a Child Considered Abuse? In many states that strictly follow the CAPTA rules alone, quick acts of physical discipline that don't leave lasting damage or other types of serious harm won't meet the definition of child abuse. A quick slap or a spanking, for example, is generally allowed by law.
It is not illegal for a parent to hit their child as long as the 'smack' amounts to 'reasonable punishment'. There is, therefore, a difference between punishment and what can feasibly be termed 'abuse'.
Whereas some parents find hitting a child, no matter how softly you do it, absolutely deplorable. But is smacking your kids even legal? The answer to the above question according to the current law is: it's not illegal to smack your children in NSW.