Essay Example on Corporal Punishment: 50-65% of Parents Use It for Toddlers and Teens

Did you know that, according to Gershoff (2012), the percentage of parents using corporal punishment on toddlers and teenagers is approximately fifty percent and sixty-five percent, respectively? Corporal punishment is a form of physical punishment that may involve a simple stroke with a ruler on the back or use of a cane to a child's rare. Corporal discipline gives power to parents and teachers of behavior control but also causes harm such as injuries and trauma to the children receiving the punishment. Thus, considering that there are other ways to shape children's behavior, the long tradition of corporal punishment must be stopped to avoid further future harm. For the nation to secure a healthy future for its young population, the US government, parents, and children, caregivers must understand the harmful effects of corporal punishment on children to secure a healthy future for them. In my speech, I will explain two main points on the effects of corporal punishment: the effect on a child's health and behavior, and on parents and caregivers. Research shows that corporal punishment affects a child’s mental development because when taken too far, it can potentially become dangerous to the child and the caretaker.

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My first main point is that corporal punishment negatively affects the child's health and behavior in the sense that the child can have a violent character throughout their life. According to Gershoff (2010), children who received punishments such as hitting, or more severe beatings, are more likely to implement that behavior within their peer groups, and eventually with their future children. For instance, what comes to the surface as a child's behavior is low confidence and inward rage, which the children can easily take out on their peers. Since children tend to internalize the social relations that they experience, when they experience punishment, they develop aggression and antisocial traits.

Another effect of corporal punishment is that the child might be affected mentally and physically on a long-term basis due to the continuous pain inflicted on their body (Hornor et al., 2020). F or example, frequent stroking of a child who never learns fast from his mistakes can result in mental problems. This punishment has been linked with decreases in child’s confidence and assertiveness and with increased in the emotional state of humiliation and helplessness

Studies show that children subjected to some form of harsh corporal punishment as they grew up were more likely to lash out towards others and be abusive towards their children and their spouses (Durrant & Ensom, 2012). Adults that received frequent corporal punishment show verbal and physical aggression towards their spouses or the partners they are dating. According to Gershoff (2012), aggression got from beating is diffused down to the child’s generation in a cycle of violence.

Now, let’s move on to my second main point, which is the effects of corporal punishment on the parents and caretakers. Firstly, violence becomes the new strategy of problem-solving for the child. Due to aggressive behavior, a child might also lose respect for his elders (Greydanus et al., 2003; Smith, 2006). A child becomes detached from the parent, knowing that any mistake they do will call for punishment. This detachment destroys relationships within the family, making the parents helpless and unable to positively mingle in their children's lives as they grow.

Secondly, corporal punishment can also make the child have lower intellectual achievements in life because the child is focused on wondering how he or she will be punished next (Knox, 2010). Concentration in class is reduced, and the child develops slow learning skills forcing the caregiver to seek more personalized learning methods such as hiring a private tutor, which costs a lot of money. According to a study conducted by Smith (2012), on third and fifth grades, students indicate that in both, parental harshness was associated with children displaying poorer developmental outcomes in academic achievement. This aspect of slow and delayed learning leads to the use of more resources by the caregiver on the child to attain a good life.

Thirdly, corporal punishment can make a child punishment tolerant (Smith, 2012). The child gets used to it and develops the courage to endure the pain each time. This is the case where a child does far more worse things with the thought that after all, they will still receive punishment.

The expected negative outcome from using corporal punishment is more frequent than positive outcomes. Most respondents thought that spanking never or rarely results in a better relationship with the parent (82.8%), a better sense of self-control (82.6%), being better behaved in the long-run (82.2%), a decreased chance of being delinquent or incarcerated later (74.5%), being more respectful of parents (71.5%), and learning correct behavior (60.7%). Most of the respondents agreed that spanking sometimes results in the child being better behaved in the short-term (57.5%). Thus, we conclude that discipline becomes ineffective every time corporal punishment is used.

Conclusion

In conclusion, recent show that corporal punishment is one of the aspects that affect children's mental development because, when overused, it becomes harmful to both the child and their caregivers. A summary of my two main points of this speech is that; first corporal punishment negatively affects a child’s health and behavior and secondly, this punishment also has an adverse influence on parents and caregivers. Most children suffer under corporal punishment in many states today, and the adverse effects can negatively impact on child’s behavior for the rest of their life; therefore, relevant authorities should take action towards rectifying the vice.

References

Durrant, J., & Ensom, R. (2012). Physical punishment of children: Lessons from 20 years of research. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 184(12), 1373-1377. https://doi:10.1503/cmaj.101314

Gershoff, E. T. (2010). More harm than good: A summary of scientific research on the intended and unintended effects of corporal punishment on children. Retrieved from https://www.pa-fsa.org/Portals/0/Docs/More%20Harm%20Than%20Good-%20A%20Summary%20of%20Scientific%20Research%20on%20the%20Inte.pdf

Greydanus, D. E., Pratt, H. D., Spates, C. R., Greydanus-Gearhart, M. A., & Patel, D. R. (2003). Corporal punishment in schools. Journal of Adolescent Health, 32(5), 385 – 393. Retrieved from https://www.jahonline.org/article/S1054-139X(03)00042-9/fulltext

Hornor, G., Quinones, S. G., Boudreaux, D., Bretl, D., Chapman, E., Chiocca, E. M., … VanGraafeiland, B. (2020). Building a safe and healthy America: Eliminating corporal punishment via positive parenting. Journal of Pediatric Health Care, 34(2), 136-144. https://doi:10.1016/j.pedhc.2019.09.008

Knox, M. (2010). On hitting children: A review of corporal punishment in the United States. Journal of Pediatric Health Care, 24(2), 103-107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedhc.2009.03.001

Smith, A. B. (2006). Changing the law on physical punishment in New Zealand. Enhancing Children’s Rights, 27, 114. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137386106.0011

Smith, B. L. (2012). The case against spanking. American Psychological Association. https://doi:10.1037/e540732012-027

Taylor, C. A., Fleckman, J. M., & Lee, S. J. (2017). Attitudes, beliefs, and perceived norms about corporal punishment and related training needs among members of the “American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children.” Child abuse & neglect, 71, 56–68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2017.04.009