Corporal Punishment Of Children Research Articles

Corporal punishment: Mother's disciplinary behavior and child's psychological profile in Alexandria, Egypt

Although all professionals oppose abusive physical punishment, nonabusive physical punishment is still controversial. The aim of the present study was (i) to determine parents' behavior regarding the discipline of their children using corporal punishment or other alternative disciplinary methods, (ii) to identify the different associated factors for corporal punishment, and (iii) to determine the association between exposure of the child to corporal punishment and his or her psychosocial well-being. A representative sample of 400 fifth-grade primary school children and their mothers were subjected to a cross-sectional survey. Mothers were subjected to a questionnaire to assess their behavior on corporal punishment and other disciplinary methods. The children were subjected to Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory to assess their self-esteem, and a questionnaire to assess their relationship with others. About three-quarter of children (76.3%) were corporally punished, and about half of them (46.2%) were punished on sites other than the extremities or buttocks. In 59.3% of them the frequency of the punishment ranged from once or twice/week to more than once/day, and it left marks in about 20%. Other disciplinary methods used by mothers were yelling/insulting (43.5%), taking away a toy or privilege (39.3%), discussing/explaining (9.5%), and time out (2.8%). The significant predictors of mothers' use of corporal punishment were male gender of the child (p < 0.01), rural origin of the father (p= 0.02), the mother's bad history of rearing experience (p < 0.01), and poor interparental relationship (p= 0.02). The relation between corporal punishment of children and their self-esteem was not statistically significant; however, corporally punished children scored lower on their relationship with others than noncorporally punished ones (Z= 2.60, p < 0.05). Corporal punishment is a widespread disciplinary method in Alexandria. The use of corporal punishment could have adverse effects on the child especially on his or her relationship with others. Planning an awareness-raising educational program for current and expectant parents is recommended, to promote positive nonviolent methods of child rearing, via the media and campaigns, and encouragement of political, community, and religious leaders; medical personnel; journalists; and sports and entertainment figures to share in these campaigns.

Schüler mit Verhaltensauffälligkeiten in Pestalozzis Erziehungsinstituten um 1800?

Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi (1746–1827) is usually seen as both founder of the modern school system and founder of modern social work. While newer studies have focused on the teaching activities in his institutes, little attention has been paid to the everyday life of the students. Although functioning as a means of the “new” teaching methods they rarely appear as real actors. This article challenges the dominant pattern of looking at Pestalozzi’s educational enterprise by focusing on students, especially in the institute in Yverdon from its beginning in 1805 up to 1811. This micro‐historical analysis is based on autobiographical notes of Pestalozzi teachers and mainly on the correspondence between Pestalozzi and the parents of the students. The authors are not only interested in the behavioural problems of some of the students who had difficulties in coping with the rules of the institute, but also in the images and ideals that teachers and parents expected from youth education. It is assumed that already...

Beliefs in the necessity of corporal punishment of children and public perceptions of child physical abuse as a social problem

Beliefs in the necessity of corporal punishment of children and public perceptions of child physical abuse as a social problem

Gendering corporal punishment: beyond the discourse of human rights

In the last few years the Global Initiative to End All Corporal Punishment of Children has been gathering momentum, with a submission to The United Nations Secretary General’s study on violence against children the most recent addition to the cause. Nevertheless, corporal punishment in schools is still condoned in many countries and its practice persists even where it is now illegal. However, it is usually discussed within a gender‐‘neutral’ human rights framework rather than being more usefully considered as a gendered practice, pivotal in sustaining the gender regimes of schools. Drawing primarily on an ethnographic study in four junior secondary schools in Botswana, in conjunction with other related studies in Sub‐Saharan Africa, it is argued that corporal punishment is gendered at the level of both policy and practice. Female and male students and teachers understand and experience the ‘giving’ and ‘receiving’ of corporal punishment differently as gender interacts with, and often takes precedence over, age and authority relations. Understanding corporal punishment as a gendered practice has important implications for how its persistence in schools might be more successfully addressed as part of the current drive to achieve the Millennium Development and Education for All Goals in relation to universal primary education and gender equality.

Corporal Punishment of Children: A Multi-Generational Perspective

This paper presents a study on the self-reported usage and attitudes toward corporal punishment (CP) by a four generation sample of Jewish families in Jerusalem. The study included 655 participants: 200 adolescents, 208 young mothers, 199 old mothers, and 48 grandmothers, and tested for inter-generational and familial role differences. Results have shown that participants’ attitudes toward CP correlates significantly with age group; however, it does not correlate with family role. Implications of the results for practitioners who seek to reduce usage of CP are suggested.

Maternal Depression Predicts Maternal Use of Corporal Punishment in Children with Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder

PurposeWe sought to determine if maternal depression contributed to the use of corporal punishment in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).Patients and MethodsThe data were gathered through chart review of clinic-referred children with ADHD and their mothers who were evaluated at a psychiatric clinic located in a large academic medical center in Seoul, Korea. Daily records kept by parents and 13 items from the Physical Assault of the Parent-Child Conflict Tactics Scales (CTSPC) were used to assess corporal punishment. Ninety-one children with ADHD and their mothers were included in this study.ResultsMothers who used corporal punishment showed significantly higher scores on the Beck Depression Inventory (t = - 2.952, df = 89, p < 0.01) than mothers who did not. Moreover, maternal depression contributed to the use of corporal punishment in ADHD children (Nagelkerke R2 = 0.102, p < 0.05).ConclusionMaternal depression contributes to the use of corporal punishment with children with ADHD. Assessment and management of the maternal depression should be an important focus of evaluation of children with ADHD.

Hiding behind the past: Understanding historical abuse in out-of-home care

This article addresses common misconceptions about the historic abuse of children in Victoria during the mid-twentieth century, including those contained in the 2006 official Victorian Government apology to state wards. The article has two aims – firstly, to consider allegations of abuse and some common reactions to, and explanations of those allegations; and, secondly, to test the abuse allegations against the 1954 and 1960 Victorian Children's Welfare Regulations concerning the use of corporal punishment in Children's Homes. The author contends that historical relativism and the notion that abuse allegations can be explained as a feature of changing attitudes towards children and discipline do not stand up to scrutiny and inhibit useful examination of the causes and consequences of abuse in out-of-home care.

Family violence in Addis Ababa: Challenges of reconciling culture and human rights in Ethiopia

Family violence includes physical, psychological and sexual violations such as pinching, beating, hitting, scolding, yelling and coerced sex. Wife beating and child corporal punishment are major family/domestic violence in Ethiopia. This study focused on wife beating (battering). It has attempted to find out the main causes for the spouses\' violence, what husbands and wives do when their respective spouses are at fault. Also, attempts are made to relate the violations to the dominant culture and to specific human rights articles. It is a descriptive study that used a questionnaire. The data were collected on a sample of 56 family heads (33F, 23M) in Lideta and Shiro Meda areas of Addis Ababa. The responses to the open ended questions were content analyzed by the author and research assistant. Thematic categories were developed based on the literature reviewed and the responses of the respondents. It is found that poor living conditions, poor management of family income, jealousy/mistrust, husbands coming home drunk and poor communication (lack of understanding) are the major causes of family conflicts mentioned. The reasons listed for beating wives include: Suspicion of adultery, husbands\' drunkenness, jealousy (kinat), husbands desire to show dominance, misunderstandings and lack of discussion, and claim of culturally accepted way of disciplining. Calling on elders/relatives, discussing the problem, leaving home, and tolerating the problem are the main actions taken by the wives when their husbands are at fault. Teaching the public and couples about the habit of discussion and tolerance, providing marriage and family life education to the youth, improvement of the economic conditions of families, teaching of human rights education to the public, and taking of serious legal measures on those who are violent are steps/actions suggested by a large number of the participants. Ethiopian Journal of the Social Sciences and Humanities Vol. 3 (2) 2005: pp. 27-50

Predictors of Adult Attitudes Toward Corporal Punishment of Children

This study identifies predictors of favorable attitudes toward spanking. Analyses were performed with survey data collected from a representative sample of 1,000 adults from Quebec, Canada. According to this survey, a majority of respondents endorsed spanking, despite their recognition of potential harm associated with corporal punishment (CP) of children. The prediction model of attitudes toward spanking included demographics, experiencing or witnessing various forms of family violence and abuse in childhood, and perceived frequency of physical injuries resulting from CP. Spanking was the most reported childhood experience (66.4%), and most violence and abuse predictors were significantly and positively correlated. Older respondents who were spanked in childhood and who believed that spanking never or seldom results in physical injuries were the most in favor of spanking. On the other hand, respondents who reported more severe physical violence or psychological abuse in childhood were less in favor of spanking. Findings are discussed in terms of prevention of CP and family coercion cycle.

The case against corporal punishment of children: Converging evidence from social science research and international human rights law and implications for U.S. public policy.

It will come as no surprise to readers that corporal punishment of children is a controversial issue throughout the United States, including within academia, in political arenas, and among the public at large. The academic debate is largely divided into those who argue that corporal punishment in some circumstances is effective and sometimes necessary to discipline children (Baumrind, 1996; Larzelere, 1993) and those who assert that there is very little benefit and rather a substantial risk of harm from using corporal punishment on children (Gershoff, 2002; Lytton, 1997; McCord, 1997; Straus, 2001). The debate also continues among the public, with popular press newspapers and magazines continuing to publish articles each year regarding the debate about pros and cons of using corporal punishment with children. In 2006 alone, articles appeared in American Baby (Lorenzi, 2006), Men’s Health (“Corporal Punishment,” 2006), The New York Times (Lyman, 2006), Parenting (O’Callaghan, 2006), Time (Paul, 2006), and USA Today (Jones, 2006), among many other similar publications. What may come as more of a surprise to Americans is that discussions of corporal punishment of children outside the United States have moved beyond

Corporal Punishment of Children in Theoretical Perspective. Michael Donnelly &amp; Murray Straus, Editors

Corporal Punishment of Children in Theoretical Perspective. Michael Donnelly &amp; Murray Straus, Editors

Development and testing of the velicer attitudes toward violence scale: evidence for a four‐factor model

AbstractThe factor structure of the Velicer Attitudes Toward Violence Scale [VATVS; Velicer, Huckel and Hansen, 1989] was examined in three studies. Study 1 (n=460 undergraduates) found a poor fit for a hierarchical five‐factor model earlier advanced by Velicer et al. [1989], but a good fit for an oblique four‐factor model. In Study 2, this alternative model was cross‐validated in a confirmatory factor analysis of an additional 195 undergraduate students. In Study 3, the competing models were compared in terms of ability to predict self‐reported aggression, with 823 undergraduate students. The new four‐factor model proved superior. Other findings included evidence of factorial invariance on the VATVS, and more favorable attitudes toward violence among men than women. The VATVS appears to measure the same four attitudinal constructs for men and women: violence in war, penal code violence, corporal punishment of children, and intimate violence. Aggr. Behav. 32:122–136, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

A retrospective survey of childhood corporal punishment by school teachers in students

To ascertain the prevalence of childhood corporal punishment by teachers in students, to explore the influencing factors and associations between childhood corporal punishment and psychological problems. Five hundred and twenty-eight students from a college and a technical secondary school in Hebei province were surveyed by self-administered questionnaire anonymously in Dec. 2004. The questionnaire used for this survey mainly included (1) general demographic information; (2) 5 forms of childhood corporal punishments, in this study, cases of teachers' corporal punishments were defined as those who answered positively one or more of the 5 questions relating to childhood corporal punishment by school teachers occurring before the age of 16 years; (3) Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90); (4) Youth Risk Behaviours. Overall, 57.6% of students reported having been corporally punished at least one time, one of four forms of corporal punishment by teachers before age of 16 years, the four forms corporal punishment were non-contact corporal punishment, e.g., running for punishment, repeat-doing homework many times for punishment, standing for punishment, kneel down for punishment, not allowing to eat, sending outside in winter, etc. (53.4%), hitting/kicking/pushing very hard with open hands/fist/feet/other part of body (16.1%), beating with an object (10.2%), and locking in a small compartment/tying with rope (0.2%). No students reported having been choked, or burned/scalded, or stabbed with a sharp object by the teachers. Males had a significantly higher overall prevalence rate than females (66.4% vs. 46.6%, chi(2) = 21.01, P = 0.000). There was no statistically significant association between a history of childhood corporal punishment and the three other demographic indicators, which included residence region (rural and non-rural area) prior to 16 years of age, parental education level, and whether the respondent lived in a single or multiple children family. Compared with their peers who had not experienced childhood corporal punishment by teachers, the students with two or more forms of corporal punishments by teachers showed significantly higher scores (punished group vs. unpunished group) of psychological symptoms of somatization (0.78 vs. 0.42), obsessiveness (1.22 vs. 0.98), interpersonal sensitivity (1.24 vs. 0.89), depression (1.06 vs. 0.76), anxiety (0.90 vs. 0.64), hostility (1.11 vs. 0.68), paranoid ideation (1.11 vs. 0.71) and psychoticism (0.84 vs. 0.56), and showed significantly higher rates in sadness (54.7% vs. 26.3%), drunk (37.2% vs. 20.1%), involving in physical fighting (15.1% vs. 3.6%) in the past year and current smoking (36.0% vs. 14.5%). The problem of corporal punishment by teachers is common in schools, and the problem has a significant correlation with youth mental health problems. The results highlighted urgent needs to increase public awareness on children rights, creating learning-friendly environment in school.

Corporal Punishment of Children in Israel: A New Trend in Secular and Religious Law

The new trend of Justice Beinish, in Plonit v. The State of Israel, regarding the legal relationship between parents and children, is analyzed.This article argues that the position of Justice Beinish is justified in light of results of research that prove that corporal punishment of children causes emotional damage. In addition, it is an outcome of three legal doctrines pertaining to children in Israel: the best interest of the child, the principles of the convention on the rights of the child, and those of Basic Law: Human Dignity and Liberty.This article also argues that, contrary to the common view, the policy of Justice Beinish in the above matter is not distant from the viewpoint of many contemporary scholars of Jewish Law who have addressed the same matter. Some prominent Jewish scholars assert that certain circumstances do justify implementation of corporal punishment. However, the major trend in Jewish Law has been that the permission to apply this punishment in special and irregular circumstances is an exception. The major trend of Jewish Law can be characterized as a gradual yet constant attempt to impart more significance to the policy of guiding parents and educators to prefer pleasant and non-violent means of education. In recent generations this trend has become more evident. Lately, more Jewish Law scholars have stressed the dangers of corporal punishment. In addition, positive consequences could emerge in this sphere as a result of a new trend in Jewish Rabbinical courts in Israel, which grant validity to the interpretation of social workers and psychologists of the concept of the best interest of the child. These professionals act in light of recent results of scientific research on the negative effect of any type of corporal punishment; furthermore, especially in recent generations, the best interest of the child is an important consideration, and sometimes a paramount or sole consideration in Jewish law when policy on children is formulated. Therefore, this article argues that Jewish Law could shift still closer to the position of abolishing all forms of corporal punishment since they can cause physical and emotional damage to children.

A Comparative Analysis of the Corporal Punishment of Children: An Exploration of Human Rights and U.S. Law

Using a comparative perspective, this paper explores two approaches to child/adult relationships and the practice of corporal punishment: a human rights perspective and a traditional perspective reflected in U.S. law. Source material for our analysis draws on statutes, court decisions, and human rights conventions relating to the status of children and corporal punishment. Legislation and case law reflecting each perspective are presented and analyzed. Discussions of the nature of and reasons for differences include: the absence of human rights principles as a touchstone for U.S. law, the avoidance of linking corporal punishment and violence in the law, and the persistence of a colonial model of child/adult relationships structured around adult dominance and control of children. In contrast, a human rights model has at its core the human dignity of the child. This approach extends human rights to children and discourages corporal punishment and oppressive relationships between adults and children. Finally, this paper discusses the value of bringing a human rights approach to our understanding of child/adult relationships and the use of corporal punishment against children.

Evaluating the subtle impact of a ban on corporal punishment of children in Germany

AbstractIn 2000, the German Government passed a law prohibiting physical punishment in the family. A pre–post research design allows for an examination of its effects. The results of nationwide representative surveys on the experiences, perceptions, legal knowledge and attitudes of adolescents and parents are discussed. The recent surveys reveal a significant decrease in the prevalence of corporal punishments and a high acceptance of the legal prohibition. In particular, awareness of the legal limits of parental physical sanctions has increased significantly. For these reasons, the prohibition of corporal punishment can be said to have had an impact on the reduction of family violence against children in Germany. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

Long-Term Effects of Child Corporal Punishment on Depressive Symptoms in Young Adults

Based on a sample of 649 students from 3 New England colleges, this study examined the long-term effects of childhood corporal punishment on symptoms of depression and considered factors that may moderate or mediate the association. Similar to national studies, approximately 40% of the sample reported experiencing some level of corporal punishment when they were 13 years old. Findings indicated that level of corporal punishment is positively related to depressive symptoms, independent of any history of abuse and the frequency of other forms of punishment. Although parental monitoring and perceived norms regarding corporal punishment had no direct or moderating effects, level of parental anger during corporal punishment was the strongest predictor of depression. The association between “angry corporal punishment” and symptoms of depression in young adulthood is partially mediated by mastery and self-esteem. Implications of these finding are discussed.

The smacking controversy: what advice should we be giving parents?

Even among countries that have ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child there is much disagreement about corporal punishment of children. Last year the Scottish Executive proposed a new law banning the smacking of children under the age of three, becoming the tenth European nation to do so. The proposal, currently abandoned whilst ostensibly still under debate, has raised a wave of controversy in child protection circles. In the nearest neighbouring country, England, a similar proposal was robustly rejected. PURPOSE OF THE PAPER: Given an increasing family and community focus in nursing, the implications of the debate for the profession cannot be ignored. What should we be telling 'ordinary' families about smacking? Thus this paper presents a positional statement on the smacking controversy and outlines some pointers for practice. While for many the legislation proposed does not go far enough, others decry it as a breach of parental rights and, thus, the issue has become hugely controversial. Media opinion and various opposing campaigns dominate both public and professional spheres. Rights, responsibilities, examples from other countries, culture and gender are all used as fodder in the debate. Extreme examples are cited by both sides and used as grist for what are at times tenuous arguments. As there is even a division within child protection arenas, practising professionals may struggle to find a way through the maze of seemingly contradictory findings from research, policy and opinion. A wide range of literature suggests that both public and professional opinion is divided on the use of smacking as a form of discipline of young children. Opinion is also divided on the ability of legislation to bring about change in social attitudes and behaviour. Health care professionals need to be in a position to recommend best practice and to do so consistently.

THE CORPORAL PUNISHMENT DEBATE IN CANADA

The controversial issue of corporal punishment of children is now before the Supreme Court of Canada. Whether or not Canada's highest court rules that the “reasonable chastisement” defense to charges of assault on children by parents and teachers is unconstitutional, it is likely that Parliament will move forward with reforms. Social science evidence on the negative effects of corporal punishment has been accepted by the federal government, and it seems likely that Canada will soon join the list of countries that prohibit the practice.

Attitudes towards corporal punishment and reporting of abuse

Objectives: To assess physicians’ attitudes towards corporal punishment in childhood and their subsequent actions regarding the reporting of child abuse. Participants: 107 physicians (95 pediatricians and 12 family practitioners) who work in hospitals and community clinics in northern Israel were interviewed. Of the participants, 16% were new immigrants. Procedure: A structured interview was conducted by one of two pediatric residents. Results: Attitudes towards corporal punishment were not influenced by the physicians’ sex or specialty. Corporal punishment was approved by 58% of the physicians. A significant difference in attitudes towards corporal punishment between immigrants and Israeli born physicians was found ( p=.004). Family practitioners and especially senior ones were found significantly less tolerant towards corporal punishment than pediatricians ( p=.04). While reporting behavior was not found to be associated with parental status and the past experience of the physicians with child abuse, a significant effect of attitudes towards corporal punishment on reporting behavior was found ( p=.01). Conclusions: (1) Corporal punishment is still perceived as an acceptable disciplinary act by a significant proportion of physicians responsible for the health care of children in our area. (2) Attitudes towards corporal punishment are different between immigrants and native born Israeli trained doctors and, unexpectedly, pediatricians were more tolerant of corporal punishment than family practitioners.