- 1. Pro: Some parents believe that spanking, when done appropriately, can be an effective disciplinary tool.
American College of Pediatricians: [Spanking]
https://acpeds.org/position-statements/research-on-disciplinary-spanking-is-misleading - 2. Con: Research shows that spanking can lead to negative long-term effects on children’s mental and emotional health.
American Psychological Association (APA): [Corporal Punishment]
https://www.apa.org/about/policy/corporal-punishment - 3. Unsure: The effectiveness and ethical considerations of spanking as a disciplinary method vary widely among experts and cultures.
Harvard University: [Discipline Research]
https://www.gse.harvard.edu/ideas/news/19/12/consequences-corporal-punishment - 4. Pro: Advocates argue that spanking, when used sparingly, can be part of a balanced approach to discipline.
Focus on the Family: [Discipline Methods]
https://jimdaly.focusonthefamily.com/guest-post-is-spanking-child-abuse/ - 5. Con: There are alternative discipline methods that are more effective and do not involve physical punishment.
Mayo Clinic: [Parenting and Discipline]
https://communityhealth.mayoclinic.org/featured-stories/child-discipline - 6. Unsure: Cultural and individual differences play a significant role in views on spanking, making it a contentious issue
Pew Research Center: [Parenting Trends]
https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2024/10/17/views-of-the-impact-of-changing-gender-roles/2023/01/24/parenting-in-america-today/ - 7. Pro: Some believe that mild spanking can help set boundaries and teach children about consequences
The Heritage Foundation: [Discipline and Behavior]
https://www.heritage.org/testimony/capta-successes-and-failures-preventing-child-abuse-and-neglect - 8. Con: Spanking can escalate into abuse and foster aggressive behavior in children.
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP): [Corporal Punishment]
https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/142/6/e20183112/37452/Effective-Discipline-to-Raise-Healthy-Children - 9. Unsure: The debate over spanking involves balancing traditional parenting ractices with contemporary research on child development
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD): [Parenting Practices]
https://www.nichd.nih.gov/newsroom/news/020824-positive-parenting-epigenetic-aging
EVIDENCE SOURCES
Click these links to explore
the PROs, CONs, and UNSURE evidence for each topic