Research Paper on Spanking as an Effective Discipline (Essay Sample)

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Spanking as an Effective Discipline
Physical punishment as a mode of behavior correction is a controversial issue amongst both professionals and society. The meta-analysis of research studies can be found to support and oppose the efficacy of spanking as an ideal or effective form of modifying maladaptive behavior in students and children (Brouwer 35). Spanking is a form of corporal punishment because it entails inflicting physical pain to deter an offense. Therefore, the purpose of corporal punishment is to deter the wrongdoing or offense from ever happening again through instilling the undesired acts with fear. In the contemporary child psychology centers and family sociology, corporal punishment known to many as spanking is a divisive debate. In recent decades, theologians and scholars have debated on whether spanking and or corporal punishment is an appropriate mode of child discipline. The debate touches on the values and beliefs of most Americans that family is a private institution, and that the government should have minimal interference on parenting (Brouwer 38). The study seeks to support the effectiveness of spanking in instilling good behavior in children when used appropriately.
The tendency of children developing anti-social behavior is one of the negative effects of spanking according to opponents of spankling. Corporal punishment is based on the notion of aggression which in turn leads to violent behavior portrayed by the parent and eventually exhibited by the child (Larzelere, Cox, & Smith 69). According to statistics from previous studies, parents spanked their children for wrongdoings. They felt irritated by the fact that their children were being immoral and in turn responded by spanking the children. This aggression is what some kids adapt leading to the antisocial behavior. Furthermore, these opponents claim that a child could channel the aggression to other persons, like bullying their classmates in school. Besides, a study by Strauss found out that cheating, lying and stealing were counter-productive behaviors with roots emanating children who were victims of corporal punishment (Larzelere, Cox, & Smith 74). On the other hand, other studies indicate that the intended behavior modification through corporal punishment is reversed in the long run. Slapping and spanking are proven that they are not effective methods of instilling discipline. In extreme instances, corporal punishment leads to resentment, anger, and low self-esteem. Reality has shown that the highest tendency of behavioral problems is from children who have been inflicted pain through spanking. For instance, some children exhibit depression, helplessness, and anxiety when their parents use harsh disciplinary measures (Hyman 27).
Opponents of spanking claim that it causes negative effects. However, on the religious front, the Book of Proverbs in the Bible states that those who hate their children spare the rod, but those who are careful to discipline, love them (13:24). This is because the philosophy and approach of spanking is crucial. Anger motivates punishment and the results can either be compliance due to fear or rebellion (Wilson 56). On the contrary, Dr. Baumrind, a well-renowned psychologist on authoritarian and authoritative child-rearing studies found out that when spanking was done through love and explanations behind corporal punishment made, there were no signs of harm (Larzelere, Cox, & Smith 67). This implies that if spanking is to be used, parents should make it clear that they are doing it out of love for their children in order to forge a good relationship with their children. Children in this circumstance will never end up depressed, antisocial or aggressive (Wilson 57).
Spanking is effective due to its deterrent effect. For example, when one child misbehaves and is punished in front of other children or siblings in a large family, that child learns how to behave appropriately and most importantly, the others learn a lesson too. Therefore, the results of corporal punishment are definite because it teaches what is right and wrong. It serves as a safety tool. For instance, children with the tendency of playing in the kitchen area tend to stop that behavior while spanked. I remember when I was spanked for eating my crayons after which I never repeated that behavior. With this respect, parents do not view spanking as physical abuse. They do not like to hit their children by contrast. It is their obligation to make sure that their children are well behaved, educated, and as adults, prepared to positively contribute to the society (Wilson 32).
Parents and educators who support spanking a disciplinary method claim that young children at the age of two to six years cannot easily comprehend logic and reasoning (Maguire-Jack, Gromoske, & Berger 67). They don’t know the difference between good and bad. For young children, it’s very hard for them to adapt antisocial behavior which contradicts what opponents of spanking claim. The only instantaneous language they can understand is physical punishment for instance spanking. Therefore, corporal punishment is an effective short-term attribute of getting children to deviate from their negative behavior. Nevertheless, spanking saves time instead of wasting time and effort in teaching young children how to behave. Instead, the appropriate alternative is to show them fear resulting from any wrongdoing. Therefore, fear tends to make children obedient and disciplined when afraid of punish (Maguire-Jack, Gromoske, & Berger 73).
Surveys in the United States indicate that half of American parents have spanked their children. However, statistics show that spanking has greatly reduced in the US. 90% of parents supported corporal punishment in 1950s and about 60% of parents support it recently. Corporal punishment is still legal in twenty states in the US (Brouwer 44). This shows that spanking administered in the right way has no negativ...