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Does smacking really help raise a successful child?

By Kasie Davies on Monday 4 January 2010

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Smacking - News - Marie Claire

It's a controversial question that continues to divide parents: Should you ever smack a child?

For many adults, the answer is most definitely no. But according to new research there is something to be said for spanking your child at a young age.

According to a new research released last week, young children smacked by their parents may grow up to be happier and more successful adults, compared to thier peers who were never hit.

The study suggests that youngsters up to the age of six were likely to perform better at school as teenagers and go on to attend university, compared to those who were never physically disciplined as a child.

It is only when the violence continues into adolescence that the effects of smacking become damaging and cause future behaviour problems.

Psychologist Aric Sigman agrees with the theory. ‘If smacking is done judiciously by a parent who is normally affectionate and sensitive to their child, our society should not be up in arms about that. Parents should be trusted to distinguish this from a punch in the face.'

But can we be sure that all child guardians will instinctively know how far is too far?

According to several children's groups, this is definitely a concern. They claim it is a form of abuse that causes long-term harm to children. Banning it would send a clear signal that violence, for whatever reasons, is harmful and unacceptable.

So what do you think? Is there something to be said for disciplining children at a young age? Perhaps you were a victim of childhood spanking and credit it for your later success.

Alternatively, do you passionately believe that no good can come out of hitting a child - however young they are.

Whatever side you fall on, Marie Claire would like to hear from you by posting your opinion below and joining the debate.

CLICK HERE TO GET INVOLVED WITH OTHER MARIE CLAIRE BIG DEBATES

Monday 4 January 2010

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Since corporal ended, and even parents cant smack their offspring, violence has got worse not less. So there must be something to be said for this type of discipline. I dont believe that the odd slap can really be called violence, but I am against consistant beatings, very much against.
Comment by Polly on January 04 11:29

I believe that a smack on the bottom of hand if a child is being naughty is fine. I f you tell them off a few times and they still don't listen then it should be done. I was smacked as a child and it did me no harm. I had a very good upbringing and had very loving parents. They taught me right from wrong and I am not a violent person now and have never been in trouble with the law. I think that maybe the children who weren't smacked may now believe they can get away with murder. Maybe they should do this survey in courts and prisons!
Comment by kelly on January 04 12:57

i believe that a smack on the bottom and told no when you child is young, i did this with my three boys and the older son never been in trouble with the law goes to collage same with the second and third child never had any trouble of any of them the best sons anyone could have.its when some parents go to far that the violence starts
Comment by debra on January 04 17:30

The vast majority of professionals agree that child buttock-battering isn't healthy. A marginal few (mostly religious fundamentalists) think that child bottom-slapping is good. They use the same selective literalist interpretation of the Bible as was used to justify 'witch'-burning, depraved torture methods for those accused of sin and heresy, slavery, racism, wife-beating, oppression of women and a host of other social ills.
Comment by PDeverit on January 04 20:40

I was spanked when I defied my parents, including when I was 16 and told my mom off. I hadn't had a spanking for many years before that and deserved it when I received it. For my own children, once they reached the age of reason (3 - 6 years old depending on the child) they were given a choice of punishments for misbehavior and always chose the spanking "to get it over with faster". There is nothing wrong with physical punishment as long as it is given out with calm, reasonable action and not just a parent lashing out in anger or frustration. Striking someone in anger is battery, delivering a reasonable smack to quell deliberate rebellion is not, and dealing out a child-chosen punishment is absolutely not a problem. Ask yourself which would you rather have, 3 open-handed swats to the bottom or even 1 day of incarceration and boredom? Finally, you must think about the fact that if you remove the option to punish physically, and the child refuses to honor the command for incarceration in their room or loss of privilege, all that is left to the parent is emotional abuse which is far more damaging, insidious, and becomes a lifelong issue. So, the issue is not whether parents can be trusted to love their children, the issue is how do we educate them in the safe and proper use of physical punishment (and all other disciplinary tools available) to teach obedience, self-control, and moral behavior without causing lasting harm. Especially in this situation I believe that education, not legislation, is the key to solving social problems.
Comment by Michelle on January 05 01:10

I suppose it is OK when you get old to be smacked for misbehaving in the nursing home. Childens's revenge you could call it! Smacking is the ultimate lack of thinking and strategies.
Comment by Jom on January 08 12:36

my five children [now 23 - 40yrs] all had a gentle smack at the time of wrongdoing. They have grown up to be hardworking, honest and caring adults of which i am very proud. There is a line to be drawn, a gentle smack as against a bullying or abusive adult. society is getting to be quite lawless partly thanks to 'do-gooders' who seem not to believe in any punishment for wrongdoing. shame on them!!
Comment by liz on January 08 12:54

I have a three year old and if I ever had to resort to hitting her in order to teach her right from wrong I would be devastated. I was hit once as a child and it was later discovered that I hadn't done anything wrong and I will never forget the pain of finding out that my parents wanted to hurt me. I have grown up with depression and hope I never ever put my child through that.
Comment by dee on January 08 15:41

If people feel that smacking children in the home is ok, then it is also ok for teachers to use physical punishment at school? Or is it only a child's nearest and dearest who are allowed to hurt him in this way? There are many other ways to manage even the most difficult of behaviour (I should know - I work in a school for children with behavioural difficulties) that do not demean the adult and hurt the child. Those parents that feel proud to have raised their children "well" using smacking... imagine how much prouder you would feel if you had been able to do the same without resorting to such measures.
Comment by Anon on January 08 16:25

To PDeverit - why on earth would 'mostly religious fundamentalists' think bottom-slapping is good? I don't see the link myself.
Comment by Lauren on January 08 16:31

Loving parents may smack a child on the back of the hand/leg to chastise them.This is not child beating!How can our chilren know what is acceptable behaviour if they are allowed to run amok? If children don't respect parents they won't respect anyone or anything in the wider society
Comment by kathy on January 08 17:00

How can children know what is acceptable behaviour when their parents have to use physical force to teach them? Surely all they learn is that when you are bigger and stronger you can use that to get your way. I agree that education is needed, not in how to use physical punishment, but in how to avoid the need for it. This is not an either / or situation: smack the child or abuse him emotionally, smack the child or he will run amok. There are many other constructive ways to teach children positive behaviour and respect. I wouldn't respect anyone who hit me to make their point, would you?
Comment by Anon on January 08 18:32

Our adopted daughter had many pyschological problems and despite asking for 6 years for help from social services we weren't supported at all. One day I 'lost it ' and smacked my daughters bottom (she had tried to strangle our dog). I then went to social services and told them what had happened - I was arrested and my daughter was taken into care! All because I had smacked her!
Comment by Andrea on January 08 20:01

I believe that if we look to just 30 years ago, when it was acceptable for smacking by parents and in schools and compare that to todays children, that are not smacked and are stabbing each other, producing bad grades on mass in schools, are disruptive and rude in and out of school, you have your answer. I don't feel it does any harm smacking a child if and only if they are naughty, it is when it is taken too far that it is a concern...but it is only taken too far by the minority of parents not the majority. I believe our society as a whole benefits from disipline in the home from an early age it helps to install what is right and what is wrong. I believe it should be up to the parent not the state.
Comment by Ruth on January 10 11:15

I think that children should definately be smaked within reason as this will teach them right from wrong properly, so that they have something to be worried about, it will also stop them from being too out-of-control.
Comment by Lisa on January 12 00:49

Some time when a child is throwing a full on paddy, just talking to them does not work. often a short sharp slap on the bottom, or back of the legs, is what it takes to get their full attention, and when you are trying to make a point that you need them to listen to you need their full attention. You only need to look at the super sullen, disrespectful kids of today to see that this no smacking rule is not working! Youngsters have no respect whatsoever.
Comment by Suzie on January 12 13:26

I never been smacked as a child, I became disrespectful to all rules and adults. It was a very hard lesson for me to learn that other individuals deserve my repect while growing up. I had no friends and my brothers hated me till I was 14. I wish i was told what's wrong and right from a early age.
Now I have a 2yr old and because my husband insisting "no hitting" policy, we never lay a hand on our little boy, I have to admit that I'm fiding it very hard to communicate with my boy as he now knows that he will never get punished whatever he does, therefore he hits me whenever he fells angry, hungry or even just fancy that! I think smacking is ok if you know when to stop, which most of people might not be able to when on rage.
Comment by Kat on January 15 17:02

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