Study: Spanking may lead to sexual problems later

[GaryC 7]

By Sharon Jayson, USA TODAY

Children whose parents spank them or otherwise inflict physical punishment may be more likely to have sexual problems later, according to research to be presented Thursday to the American Psychological Association.

The analysis of four studies by Murray Straus, co-director of the Family Research Laboratory at the University of New Hampshire-Durham, suggests that children whose parents spanked, slapped, hit or threw objects at them may have a greater chance of physically or verbally coercing a sexual partner, engaging in risky sexual behavior or engaging in masochistic sex, including sexual arousal by spanking.

"It increases the chances of sexual problems," though "it's not a one-to-one causation," Straus says.

Elizabeth Gershoff, an assistant professor of social work at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, who reviewed 80 years of spanking research in 2002 in the APA's Psychological Bulletin, says Straus' work appears to be the first to link spanking with sexual problems.

Gershoff says that though many children have been spanked (85% in one 2007 survey), problems may depend on how they process the spanking.

"They may internalize that to mean that in loving relationships sometimes there's pain or physical aggression," she says. Another possible lesson is that "whoever is stronger and has more power can overpower the other person and use physical aggression to control the other person's behavior."

But linking sexual problems with spanking is a "big leap," says human-sexuality researcher John DeLamater of the University of Wisconsin. "It's probably one of many elements that might contribute to sex problems or risky sex, but it's a long leap."

Most children who are spanked escape from long-term harm, says Straus, 81, a sociology professor who says he occasionally spanked his own children but later became a staunch critic of spanking. His work on violence in families is regarded as landmark research.

He is scheduled to present the studies today at the psychological association's Summit on Violence and Abuse in Relationships in Bethesda, Md. Three are yet unpublished; one has been submitted to a journal. He plans to include two in a book this year. The fourth was included in a 1994 book.

The two most recent studies examine sexual coercion and risky practices among 14,252 college students between 2001 and 2006. The third study, of 440 high school students from New Hampshire, examined risky sex, such as premarital sex without a condom. The fourth study, of 207 students from the Northeast, focused on masochistic sex.

In each case, Straus found that those who had experienced corporal punishment had increased probability of coercing sex, risky sex or masochistic sex.

The literature on effectiveness of spanking to correct behavior is still "very mixed," says Robert Larzelere of Oklahoma State University, who has studied parents' disciplinary methods.

"Like any discipline tactic, it depends on how it's used," he says.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-0...nterstitialskip

[Alex+R 0]

Yay, spanking is bad!

Also that DeLameter guy was my friend's advisor! Gooooooo Badgers!

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Gary, not another one of your liberal drivels again?

Interesting read. I think spanking a child on the bottom is appropriate under the right circumstances, but it should be used sparingly. If the child has ongoing behaviorial problems, there are other issues that need to be addressed through possible family counseling.

[Amby 490]

I was never spanked as a child but I enjoy it in the sexual way. What does that mean? hmmm

[DeadPoolX 9]

I was never spanked as a child but I enjoy it in the sexual way. What does that mean? hmmm

It means you have a underlying urge to land a 747 on the freeway. In other words... it probably doesn't mean a whole heck of a lot.

[Jason-Sasha 1]

Funny, I always thought sex lead to spanking.

[Alex & Rachel 78]

Is masochistic sex or arousal by spanking supposed to be a 'problem', then?

[Sprailenes 47]

Wasn't spanked and don't spank.

You know what sentence I hate? "You want something to cry about...let me give you something to cry about" #######?

[Ban Hammer 13,342]

almaty will say the researchers need a good spanking

[Kez/JWolf 6]

OH MAN......

"Sticks and stones may break my bones........... but whips and chains excite me!!!!!!"

Spank away.....

Kez

[Nessa 23]

Interesting. I wasn't spanked when I was a child. No more comments.

[caybee 21]

I was spanked as a kid, rarely. I don't believe in it. But I think there's a big difference between spanking in a controlled way, without anger, and throwing something at the kid. I don't know why those behaviors were grouped together in the study. There's also a huge difference between a parent losing their temper in the Wal-Mart parking lot and paddling the kid out of anger, and waiting until the parent is calm and then spanking the kid in an effort to deter unacceptable and especially dangerous behavior. I don't like either one, but I think one is far more harmful. It's terrifying for a child to see a parent lose control. I once saw a mother spank her little girl for jumping around too much when her little friend came to visit. Then she screamed at the girl to sit in a chair. The mother looked out of control, and she was between the child and the chair, so the child just stood there and whimpered, knowing if she went to the chair, she was going to get hit on the way there. That stuff teaches the child absolutely nothing of value, IMO.

[GaryC 7]

I posted this for brother Dean.

I also think this story should go on the next "Liberals Gone Wild" video. It's beyond stupid.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

It seems to me that Social workers, and people involved with the provision and development of mental health services are working professionals conducting actual research.

Its got absolutely nothing to do with liberals or mainstream politics whatsoever.

Edited February 29, 2008 by Number 6

[GaryC 7]

It seems to me that Social workers, and people involved with the provision and development of mental health services are working professionals conducting actual research.

Its got absolutely nothing to do with liberals or mainstream politics whatsoever.

It was done by Family Research Laboratory at the University of New Hampshire-Durham. While they have a noble goal of reducing family based violence this has taken it to a real extreme. Trying to link spanking a child and enjoying sexual deviation later in life is like linking mothers milk and heroin addiction.