What does Psychology have to say about physical punishment of children?

Question

I know that we all have opinions about smacking children and, for sure, we're entitled to them, but what is the scientific evidence for its effects? have there been surveys, case studies, etc?

What does the noble science of Psychology have to say about its efficacy or the harm that it entails?

Answer 1

Some words and people for you to look up.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
Humanism
Constructivism (in education)
Carl Rogers
Rudolph Dreikurs

Children learn from experiences, not by being told to think and do.

The next question too, which applies to all forms of punishment, is whether you want kids to behave only as a response to rewards or punishment, or if you want them to really learn right from wrong and behave in a sound and productive fashion because they really want to.

Check it out, it is interesting. I particularly like Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs.

This is all pointless if you are just going to make up your mind to suit some gut instinct. If you are genuinely interested, read some child psychology books, and check out what I have mentioned above on wikipedia if you want.

If not, I just wasted my time!!! Hope you end up raising great kids, if you havent already done so!

Answer 2

Melanie Klein: Infantile Anxiety Situations Reflected in a Work of Art and in the Creative Impulse

The child is driven to the situation of misbehaving by the pressure of a primal anxiety situation which he had never mastered. Anxiety enhances a repetition compulsion and the need for punishment attempts to secure actual punishment in order that the primal anxiety be allayed by a chastisement less severe than that which the anxiety situation causes him to anticipate.

Answer 3

In western Pshycology using violence againt children is seen as a harmful practice.

Children have their parents and home as only stable basis. If fear of physical violence is always a possibility in their home, children will start to behave and adopt to that situation. (Running, hiding, pleasing others, becoming silent and introverted). Its a kind of survival mode. In the familiy situation it works. But outside it does't.

In love, work or school, the behavior is different and unadopted to a normal situation. They will have a bigger chance for having social problems.

Answer 4

It says there are other ways to punish your children other than physically, but it isn't saying go yell at your kids and call them names, remember emotional wounds last longer than physical, basically don't hurt your children, talk to them.

Answer 5

i ******* hate parents that hit their kids, it makes me feel physically sick and so angry that id run them over