Effects of Corporal Punishment

Corporal Punishment as an Act of Dicipline Every now and then we hear about cases where school children are hit by their teachers even over minor mistakes, and even recently we heard about a case where a ten year old boy was beaten by his teacher in Singapore (Corpun, 2000). This caused a widely publicized case in the local and even some international media. It has been debated and argued by many parties as corporal punishment and is now viewed as something which does not have any valid justification to it. It has shown to have caused many psychological effects and even some physical impairments at times, which will be explained later in this literature review.

Nowadays, psychologists and other professionals have developed and expanded on newer methods of disciplining children which could be used as alternatives to corporal punishment. One of the main reasons we chose to do this topic is because we wanted to know what areas and arguments have been discussed to investigate corporal punishment as a way of discipline. Naturally, this literature review focuses on the effects of corporal punishment on children, from the age range of four to 11 years, in terms of psychological, social and emotional development. As such, this paper also will examine references on corporal punishment in both family or domestic and educational settings. We also examined from a longitudinal study that studied the impact of corporal punishment on the life of these children up to their adult life. It is to help us to understand better the consequences and predict the outcome on children when they grow older. Some other questions which we investigated are what scientific methods that had been used to study the corporal punishmernt? What we have noticed the similarites and differences in these journals. Finally, we provide our opinion whether corporal punishment should be used among children.

Some definitions support the use of corporal punishment. Corporal punishment is defined as “the use of physical force with the intention of causing a child to experience pain but not injury for the purpose of correction or control of the child’s behavior” (Straus & Kantor, 1994 as cited in Gershoff, 2002). Hicks-Pass (2009) used the same definition, that showed the use of corporal punishment that took the side of considering it as a good practice and differentiate it from physical abuse. The learning processes of children as demonstrated by Alfred Bandura’s (1997) as cited by Berk, (2008) illustrated that children learn to do something by remodeling the actions of adults without question the morality behind their actions. Straus (2008) commented that children will grow up believing that it is indeed fine to display love through physical actions as a result of receiving corporal punishment through the years. Furrer (2006) stated that corporal punishment can be divided into three categories which are family or domestic corporal punishment that administered by parents, grandparents and relatives. Educational corporal punishment that being administered by an educator, day care and/or nanny (Furrer, 2006). Or judicial corporal punishment, for example,caning of prisoner (Furrer, 2006).

Dukes (1998) used Lawrence Kohlberg’s theory of moral development. It proposed the life of development that is in a hierarchal stage, the highest one is morality that deals with internal consciousness and individual standards (Dukes, 1998). When children are hit, they adjust their behavior to external consequence and somehow, they rely on it. Because of it, they never develop their internal consciousness (Dukes, 1998). Other theory that has been used from the social learning theories such as the Bandura’s modeling behavior (Santrock, 2009). It explains that a child would imitate what he or she saw others do, in this case hitting the child (Santrock, 2009). Hyman and Dukes (1998) both argued that people learn through modeling behavior like watching their families. Both Hyman (1998) and Howard (2008) argued that there is a law for adults if a person got hit by another person, it is considered an assault. Hyman (1998) stated that hitting a child is equivalent to an assault. The real intention of hitting the child is to reflect pain (Hyman, 1998). He argues that reflecting pain is form of violence (Hyman, 1998). And that will lead to give a message to the child is violent is acceptable (Hyman, 1998). It also teaches the children that hitting is a way of expressing love and solving problems (Hyman, 1998).

Some societies have been slow in changing their mindset of using corporal punishment as good practice to discipline children and in most cases, parents and educators have been stubborn and persistent to stick to corporal punishment to educate children (Furrer, 2006). Nowadays, parents, educators or nations that permit corporal punishment are generations received corporal punishment in both educational and domestic setting, perhaps just as how their children are experiencing themselves (Furrer, 2006)

In Sweden, for almost three decades the law has banned families to practice corporal punishment (Howard, 1998). The American government considers it legal if it is done appropriately, moderately and when necessary (Hicks, 2009). It was rather difficult to find journals that defend corporal punishment. Straus (1998) some can be found with information looking at culture. Based from the survey, the amount of people using corporal punishment, is getting less, and those who in favor of it, feel they are threatened, as they are forced to change their style of disciplining the child (Straus, 1998). They believe, corporal punishment is necessary for the well being of the children like African Americans (Straus, 1998).

Straus (1994) explained about adults from the older generation view corporal punishment, even if it hurts and humiliating, as something that works because they received it when they were young and they turned out to be fine individuals (Asher & Muhammad, 2008). With such mentality, it perhaps no wonders that children’s cry of plight fall on their parent’s deaf ears. Yet, just how true is the adults’ claim of the effectiveness of corporal punishment in the long run?

What is truly amazing about Gershoff’s (1994) literature review, besides her findings, is the undeniable fact that her scope was collected from studies dating back from 50 years ago. It brings to attention of even as the older generation protested and held firm to their beliefs that corporal punishment is indeed beneficial (Gershoff, 1994). These are studies that came from their generation totally shutting up unscientific beliefs using the means of empirical methods (Gershoff,1994). Yet, from an empirical researcher’s point of view, even after 50 years highlighting the ineffectiveness of corporal punishment, little has been achieved Gershoff (1994). From the ancient kingdoms to the modern, corporal punishment is a global phenomenal that has been widely recorded and even celebrated in certain cultures throughout the passage of history (Holden, 2002).

As a fore mention, if corporal punishment has been around for ages (Holden, 2002), why only in recent years has corporal punishment been brought up and contested strongly for its abolishment globally (Holden, 2002). Time and time again, corporal punishment has come under heavy criticism, even in the past, for its actual effectiveness in curbing deviant behaviours (Hicks-Pass, 2009; Greven, 1990). Nevertheless, in recent years the protest against children corporal punishment has gained the result it strived for, with several nations opting to abolish corporal punishment on children completely (United Nations Convention on the Rights of Children, 1990). However, the fact that those nations globally have yet to display any active measure to abandon corporal punishment, which is not just limited to third world nations but also developed nations such as France and the United States of America (United Nations Convention on the Rights of Children, 1990).

The information that has mainly been gathered for the effects of corporal punishment is done by longitudinal research and interview. Straus (1998) studied about the effect of corporal punishment, by looking at the history of the children’s family. The argument of the practice of corporal punishment is still being used despite numerous scientific and longitudinal studies demonstrating the negative effects of corporal punishment that justify the reasons it should not be used (Hick-Pass, 2009; Furrer, 2006; Gershoff, 2002; Straus 1998). Gordon, T (1998) said that some clients, whose psyches are severely disturbed, have been physically punished. Straus (1998) said the reduction in hitting the child is one of the factors of reducing the amount of crime, violence and mental health problems later.

Dukes (1998) mentioned that biological aspect can be affected by trauma and physical abuse. In terms of physical punishment, it can cause permanent changes, for example, decrease in the volume of the hippocampus, that is important in memory and maybe other brain structures that might be affected (Dukes). Since hippocampus role is also in releasing some neurotransmitters and chemicals that take information from one cell to the next, the secretion of the neurotransmitter of the brain may be distorted as a result of trauma (Dukes). Some of those adults who grow up physically abused might react to a minor issue as if it is a big issue.

Gelles (1998) also discussed about the mental development of the child, in terms of slowing down the normal rapidity of the development of the children and the neurons -connections of the brain that make them to be less smart. The longitudinal research done by (Straus 1994, as cited in Gelles, 1998) of children who have been physically punished even with low level of physical violent showed that their cognitive development is affected. Also somehow, they are less likely to be employed as adults (Straus, 1994 as cited in Gelles, 1998).

The probable reason behind it was reported by Straus’ (1998) finding, stating that corporal punishment can take away children’s motivation, self direction and self control. The more corporal punishment is used, the more likely the child will delay to graduate from college (Straus). Later on it hampers the person’s negotiation competencies and hence his or her career life. This is because when they were younger, instead of learning to negotiate, they were conditioned to either follow the rules or get hit (Straus). Some arguments go further as no one wants to work with someone who is aggressive, angry or depressed (Straus).

Most of the arguments continue to discuss the negative effects of corporal punishment, for instance, effects such as depression and other psychological consequences. Adolescents who were physically punished in their childhood, had high risk of depression or are seriously depressed. Longitudinal study conducted by Straus and Kantor’s, 1994 (cited in Milburn, 1998) and Gelles (1998) these children potentially have more thoughts of suicide, alcohol abuse and violence towards themselves or their spouses. One of the longitudinal research done by Straus, 1994 (as cited in Gelles, 1998), explained that even those who have low levels of physical violent, are more likely to commit suicide.

Hyman (1998) found other effects such as a child’s emotional response after being hit. They tend to develop fear and anger towards parents. Later those children, when they grow older will beat their own children (Hyman, 1998). Some major effects of child punishment, ended with the death of the child when they were much younger, especially below three years (Gelles, 1998). One tragic and distressing finding was seen with some children who saw some of their classmates injured and their response to them was by hitting them, and violence become a respond to any kind of distress (Gelles, 1998).

Gelles (1998) found that when using a lot of aggression, emotional and physical punishment on children, they will grow up become hooligans too. They listen more to their peer group rather than their parents as they already have less influence on them (Gelles, 1998). Whenever the parents hit their children, their emotional bond with their children decreases and the parents become less influential on their children (Gelles, 1998). Based from these findings, he agrees that corporal punishment has negative consequences (Gelles, 1998). Such consequences are in terms of hitting the siblings, play mates, and later the partners when they start dating and spouses when they get married, especially for those who have constantly been hit (Gelles, 1998; Straus & Kantor’s, 1994 cited in Hyman, 1998).

Early researches showed both no spanking and spanking have no effect on the child but later research showed that some children when they are spanked, it stays in their memory (Hyman, 1998). Those young children are in denial with what has been happening to them but the danger, if this denial might be carried on when they grow older (Straus & Kantor’s, 1994 cited in Milburn, 1998). Another studies show those children are more likely to grow as delinquents. According to Strauss’ (1994) research, corporal punishment might be viewed as not harmful, but it later has a tremendous effect when the child grows up. According to Hyman (1998) said that children do not like themselves, when they want to release their feelings; they act aggressively because this is what they learned and this is the way they interact with others. He argued that in society there is a lot of violence and no need to add violence in the child life (Hyman, 1998). Spanking can interfere with the children’s ability to solve problems (Hyman, 1998). And they become angry, that can create a generation of abuses (Hyman, 1998). Even in low amount of spanking, it can affect their self esteem (Hyman, 1998).

For some, corporal punishment on children is seen as an abuse on a children’s human rights (Straus, 2008; Asher & Muhammad, 2008; Furrer, 2006; Gershoff, 2002& 1994; Hyman, 1998, as cited in Straus 2001; Skinner, 1953; Thorndike 1935). Thus, finally in 1990, the United Nations put forward the Convention on the Rights of Children officially motioning against corporal punishment worldwide. Thereby, effectively providing children where ever a set of laws to protect their rights as individuals. In 2006, Furrer using compilations about Convention on the Rights of Children reported this is even with the amendment of such convention, the fact still remains that such an international law has little effect on to what extend this is being practiced in a localized setting.

The only sure way to curb the prevalence of corporal punishment is to amend localize laws to address this issue directly. As shown by the Convention on the Rights of Children, it is no longer an issue of religion or culture but as a matter of humanity in terms of human rights (United Nations Convention on the Rights of Children, 1990). From the mentioned literature, we notice that most of them had the same points when justifying their answers of why or why not corporal punishment should be used on children. Different researches explained their point of view of corporal punishment with different theories to support their argument. Most of them touched on same points, especially for those researchers who are against corporal punishment. But for those who are with the use of corporal punishment, they had focus on culture acceptance and following the parent style of raising the child. The stand of corporal punishment can take extreme, moderate or a bit of using the corporal punishment. One of the biggest influences of the acceptance of the action is which cultures are being looked at? And learn the way they see it.

Corporal punishment should be prohibited even if they call it as spanking, to discipline the child, as we agree with the researchers, there is another way to deal with the children and discipline them. It might have a very fast and temporary impact on controlling the child. But usually the effects of the corporal punishment have later a great effect on the development of the children, which might affect them for the rest of their lives.