Childrearing Practices among South Asian Muslims in Britain: The Cultural Context of Physical Punishment

Abstract

The aim of the study is to understand the beliefs systems, expectations and values of family life, childrearing practices and child disciplining in the South Asian communities living in Britain. The empirical work consisted of content analysis of three phone-in radio programs to explore the South Asian communities' perceptions about the use of physical punishment as a method of child disciplining. Parental authority, children's obedience and respect for the parents are major values within the South Asian families. A large number of respondents were in favor of physical punishment as an appropriate way to discipline their children in order to correct misbehavior. They viewed physical punishment (within limits) as an effective means of providing consistent guidance and discipline. The central conclusion of the present research is that generally, South Asian parents' perceptions of what is harmful are shaped by their own personal standards and customs of their culture. In light of the lack of awareness about the standard set by the British society, South Asian parents continue to practice the methods they brought from their homeland.