spanked kids may grow up to be happier & more successful

[Amby 490]

Young children spanked by their parents may grow up to be happier and more successful than those who have never been hit, a study has found.

According to the research, children spanked up to the age of 6 were likely as teenagers to perform better at school and were more likely to carry out volunteer work and to want to go to college than their peers who had never been physically disciplined.

But children who continued to be spanked into adolescence showed clear behavioral problems.

Children’s groups and lawmakers in the UK have tried several times to have physical chastisement by parents outlawed, the Times of London reported. They claim it is a form of abuse that causes long-term harm to children and say banning it would send a clear signal that violence is unacceptable.

However, Marjorie Gunnoe, professor of psychology at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, said her study showed there was insufficient evidence to deny parents the freedom to choose how they discipline their children.

“The claims made for not spanking children fail to hold up. They are not consistent with the data,” said Gunnoe. “I think of spanking as a dangerous tool, but there are times when there is a job big enough for a dangerous tool. You just don’t use it for all your jobs.”

Research into the effects of spanking was previously hampered by the inability to find enough children who had never been spanked, given its past cultural acceptability.

But Gunnoe’s work drew on a study of 2,600 people, about a quarter of whom had never been physically chastised.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,581882,00.html

[Rhiannercakes 14]

Certainly didn't make my brother happier and more successful.

He's quite the opposite

[Peikko 1,575]

That is not the sort of study that can have enough controls in place to isolate and assess cause/effect properly. I am sure if it's possible to create a study that does show the cause/effect to make the case for or against spanking by such studies to be quite honest. However, if you look at how young children react to various situations, you will also know that spanking for social behavioural infractions does not teach them how to behave. It might be good if you want to associate pain with a dangerous situation, but trying to condition for all situations is problematic. Essentially, children need to learn consequences and if the only consequence they learn to respect is spanking, you will run into trouble as they get older.

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

I think spanking a child on the bottom has it's time and place, but should never be a regular way of dealing with bad behavior. If a child is behaving badly often, then there are other issues at play.

[FortLaudy 10]

I'm all for spanking on the butt... now if it was only legal to spank my neighbours kids on the butt, that would be great especially since I will show them this study... these kids are driving us nuts...

[AlHayatZween 2]

Hooray for spankings !

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

[Nessa 23]

sure they'll be happier and more successful if social services put them on foster care for child abuse.

[john & jean 37]

if that was true, I would be funnier than Robin Williams, and wealthier than Bill Gates

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

The threat of spanking is far more effective.

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

The threat of spanking is far more effective.

...combined with alcohol breath, and you'll have them peeing their pants.

[Nagishkaw 510]

The threat sight of spanking the woodshed is far more effective.

Fixxored.

[Jenn! 918]

It might be good if you want to associate pain with a dangerous situation, but trying to condition for all situations is problematic. Essentially, children need to learn consequences and if the only consequence they learn to respect is spanking, you will run into trouble as they get older.

I agree with this. Spanking should generally be reserved for the most serious situations, like running out into the street, for example.

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

...combined with alcohol breath, and you'll have them peeing their pants.

Wow, never knew you had that kind of experience. No wonder you have a victim mentality.

Fixxored.

The dreaded wood shed! Kinda like havin to walk 20 miles to school and being up hill both ways.

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

Wow, never knew you had that kind of experience. No wonder you have a victim mentality.

My father wasn't a drinker. How about yours? Did he ever spank you while he was drunk?