Current Parental Attitudes Towards Upbringing Practices in Finland and Sweden 30 Years after the Ban on Corporal Punishment

Abstract

Thirty years have now passed since Sweden and Finland, as the first countries in the world, enacted national legislation against corporal punishment. This study examines the current attitudes towards corporal punishment among Finnish and Swedish parents of newborn to 12‐year‐old children. Differences between the countries in parents’ attitudes towards upbringing practices in relation to socio‐demographic background factors were also analysed. The study was based on identical survey data collected separately in Finland and Sweden in 2011 and later merged for analysis. The survey included questions regarding parental behaviour and attitudes towards upbringing practices. Data were analysed using univariate tests (chi‐2) and logistic regression. The analysis showed that a significantly larger proportion of Finnish parents approved of slapping or hitting their children compared to Swedish parents (OR = 6.20). Swedish parents, on the other hand, approved of shaking more than Finnish parents (OR = 0.54). Furthermore, a larger proportion of Finnish parents had positive attitudes towards non‐violent types of punishments compared to Swedish parents. The socio‐demographic background factors did not explain the differences between the countries. Cultural factors that may plausibly influence these attitudes are discussed. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.Key Practitioner Messages: Even in countries with a long‐standing ban on corporal punishment of children, there is reason to elucidate parents’ attitudes. It is important to understand cultural factors, especially views on violent behaviour. Even when a majority of parents have some knowledge about children's rights, its full meaning needs to be promoted through a general programme. Preventive work against corporal punishment needs to take parents’ attitudes into account. Children's right to a non‐violent childhood should be advocated at all levels of society. ‘A significantly larger proportion of Finnish parents approved of slapping or hitting their children compared to Swedish parents’‘Children's right to a non‐violent childhood should be advocated at all levels of society’