Spanking Children

In the United States, spanking children is a legal form of punishment. However, studies not only show a decline in this practice, but a negative psychological effect on the child as well. In 2014, Vikings running back Adrian Peterson was charged with abusing his four-year-old son. According to a timeline by Steve DiMatteo, “The Vikings running back used a switch (a thin branch or rod used for whipping) to discipline his child, resulting in bruises and lacerations on the boy's back, legs, arms and buttocks.” (DiMatteo 2014). Shortly after, Peterson’s son returned to his mother in Minnesota, where the child’s injuries were discovered during a routine check-up. Shortly after, allegations of child abuse followed. Peterson is indicted for “reckless

With overwhelming research pointing to how negative of a practice spanking is, many parents continue to spank their children. This is partly due to the fact that many parents are unaware of the damage that spanking causes towards their child. In an article by Jessica Pauline Ogilvie, it is observed that most parents out of frustration or impatience. Many parents do not display to their children the concern they have for them and the reason why they have spanked them. The American Academy of Pediatrics in addition to the American Psychological Association both oppose the use of corporal punishment. Also, it is shown that there are healthier alternatives to spanking. Grounding or restricting a child's activities can correct the child's behavior without negative side-effects. If more parents were better informed, fewer children would suffer from spanking related social issues. Finally, spanking is banned in fifty-three countries worldwide. Spanking is considered unlawful in 30 states in America, in which eighty-one percent of parents say that spanking is an appropriate mean of punishment on occasion, as stated by Emily Cuddy and Richard V. Reeves. This shows a need for reform and clarity in current laws, as they are oftentimes vague and ignored. Finally, spanking, as previously stated, effects the relationship between the parent and the child. According to Elizabeth Thompson Gershoff, "The painful nature of corporal

According to a poll by ABC News, “sixty-five percent of Americans approve of spanking children, a rate that has been steady since 1990.” The majority is shown to favor corporal punishment. However, the popularity of corporal punishment does not justify it. Many are miseducated about the negative long-term effects that oftentimes come with spanking children. In support of spanking, some studies show that spanking a child, if done “properly”, can yield positive results. Spanking a On the contrary, few parents spank their children “properly”. Spanking is usually done out of anger or impatience towards the child, rather than