More than a quarter of parents in the United States said they find hitting children more acceptable than hitting pets, spouses, and elderly parents.
That is according to findings from a new study published in the journal Psychology of Violence. The study sought to determine if parents viewed spanking as a form of hitting and how they viewed spanking children.
The study had 286 American parents with children aged 0 to 8 as participants. It is important to note that the final sample was predominantly White, married, and middle-income. They also have an average age of 33.
Study on Hitting or Spanking Children
Parents were asked to evaluate the acceptability of spanking or hitting within families. At least 30% of respondents said they find hitting children acceptable. In comparison, 17% of parents said they found it acceptable to hit pets, 1% said spouses, and 0% said elderly parents.
Survey respondents who said hitting children was acceptable often justified spanking as a necessary disciplinary measure, especially when other methods fail. They also justified spanking as a means to ensure children stay safe in particular situations.
In addition, parents were also asked to define what they viewed as "hitting." A majority (90%) said spanking does include the term "hitting," but many still said they believe spanking to be less severe than hitting. Specifically, a third of respondents said spanking could be defined as "hitting" or "striking." Other parents said "smacking" or "swatting" were considered spanking.
Is Spanking an Effective Disciplinary Method?
Numerous studies have shown that spanking has negative effects on the development and well-being of children. Spanking, for instance, is linked to increased aggression, antisocial behavior, and an increased risk of the development of mental health issues and substance abuse problems.
Spanking has also been found to lower IQ scores, slower cognitive development, and increase the risk of academic failure in children.
Furthermore, the use of corporal punishment can significantly damage parent-child relationships, increase a child's risk of being a victim of physical abuse, and lead to the development of hostile attributions and aggressive problem-solving strategies.
