Spanking as a disciplinary tool increases aggression in young children and is ineffective in teaching a child responsibility and self-control, according to a recent statement by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
In fact, new evidence suggests spanking can affect normal brain development, and pediatricians are urging parents to consider more effective and safer parenting methods that teach children right from wrong. The AAP’s policy statement, published in the December issue of Pediatrics, also addresses the harm associated with verbal punishment such as shaming or humiliation.
“The good news is, fewer parents support the use of spanking than they did in the past,” said Dr. Robert D. Sege, an author of the “Effective Discipline to Raise Healthy Children” policy statement. “Yet corporal punishment remains legal in many states, despite evidence that it harms kids — not only physically and mentally, but in how they perform at school and how they interact with other children.”
Corporal punishment and harsh verbal abuse may cause a child to be fearful and compliant in the short term, but do not improve behavior over the long term and may cause more aggressive behaviors, according to AAP. In one study, young children who were spanked more than twice a month at age 3 were more aggressive at age 5. Those same children at age 9 still exhibited negative behaviors and lower receptive vocabulary scores.
Research has shown that striking (or yelling at or shaming) a child can elevate stress hormones and lead to changes in the brain’s architecture. Harsh verbal abuse is also linked to mental health problems in preteens and adolescents. Experts say discipline is more effective when parents maintain a calm and controlled demeanor.
“It’s best to begin with the premise of rewarding positive behavior,” says Dr. Benjamin S. Siegel, co-author of the policy statement. “Parents can set up rules and expectations in advance. The key is to be consistent in following through with them.”
AAP recommends pediatricians use their influence during office visits to help parents with age-appropriate strategies for handling their child’s discipline. They also may refer families to community resources for more intensive or targeted help.
“There’s no benefit to spanking,” Dr. Sege says. “We know that children grow and develop better with positive role modeling and by setting healthy limits.”
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