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Nowadays, violent behavior directed against children is discussed quite regularly. These are, of course, terrible reports and I certainly do not support these beatings. But what about the disciplinary “spanking” from parents that you probably remember yourself? In this article we will examine the impact of spanking on a child’s psyche.
Raising the child
A very serious case took place in Canada. The liberal government prohibited physical punishments carried out on children. The Supreme Court subsequently ruled to remove children from their parents’ care because physical punishments had demonstrably been carried out on them.
The parents of the children claimed that it was in accordance with their Christian faith.
What is constructive is that more and more people are standing against it and the problem is finally beginning to be talked about. It is clear that there are individuals who believe that a spanking makes sense because it can solve certain things.
Is it wrong or acceptable to hit a naughty child when we’re at our wit’s end?
It has been proven that being struck by a hand (an open hand that does not cause any noticeable damage) has intense consequences for their psyche. For what reason, then, do parents hit their children?
Spanking
Teacher Michelle Knox from Toledo University in the United States sees a certain inconsistency in this matter. The law protects thieves, prisoners and convicts from physical punishments, but the laws do not adequately protect the most important ones — our children.
Discipline can initially start with a light smack on the bottom, but this can over time turn into visible injuries. In many cases, the physical violence is triggered simply by an inability to cope with a hyperactive child. If a parent cannot handle their child and physical punishment becomes more frequent, we recommend visiting a specialist who can help you with childrearing.
National Association of Nurses
In 2011, the National Association of Pediatric Nurses issued a statement that children who are regularly beaten in childhood tend, in adulthood, to become involved in various illegal activities and to be tougher, unlike children who did not experience physical punishments. Simply put, beating may seem powerful in the short term, but it can often have a long-term negative impact on the psychological health of young people. It encourages the idea among youth that every action will provoke violence.
The child’s future
You are probably thinking that not every such child will become a criminal, thief or murderer — that there must be exceptions. Yes, there are, but they are very few. It very much depends on how the child perceives the spanking. There are children who accept it and do not dwell on it too much, and there are children who will process the spanking deeply within themselves.
Conclusion
On the public scene we regularly encounter the sentiment: „my family, my standards“.
Parents often claim that they had no choice with their child and simply had to resort to physical punishment. For many people, it is indeed a much more common and easier solution than taking their child to a specialist in upbringing and behavioral psychology.
