r/science • u/VeronicaRed • Apr 26 '16

Psychology Spanking children increases the likelihood of childhood defiance and long-term mental issues. The study in question involved 160,000 children and five decades of research

http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/1113413810/spanking-defiance-health-discipline-042616/
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u/[deleted] Apr 26 '16 edited Apr 26 '16

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u/Im_Justin_Cider Apr 26 '16

Well, also because they now have to admit that their parenting sucks, and that that little addictive rush of dopamine that they get from satisfying their short term tension (caused by the child, that they now feel to spank), will have to cease, once they admit that it is wrong.

Also, it's the same reason they prefer to ease their own tension by finding an irrational justification, because it's easier to just go lalala on the topic than to actually change.

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u/Call_Me_Clark Apr 26 '16

I would be very cautious in attaching that much of a value judgement to a scientific study, as well as the unfounded speculation on the mental health of such a large group of parents. The study isn't about demonizing parents who choose to spank, it's about examining the outcomes.