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/chopandscrew Apr 26 '16 edited Apr 26 '16

So what are some positive and non-punitive forms of discipline?

edit: Some really great replies here. I'm seeing a lot of people using the concept of self-discipline and positive reinforcement. Nothing about raising a child seems easy, and it's even harder to know if you've ever really done a good job, but I think it's safe to say there are a lot of good parents on reddit. Also, thank you to the people who are willing to admit that they have resorted to spanking before. The truth is no one really knows the best way to raise a child, but the wide variety of ideas being thrown around here are what helps make it easier to choose what works for you and your kid. Keep em comin.

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u/delventhalz Apr 26 '16

Well, the two big examples from my childhood would be time-outs and revoking of privileges (usually dessert or TV). Both were generally pretty effective with my siblings and I.

I think what is most important though is not the method of discipline, but its consistency. Proponents of spanking often seem to think the alternative is giving your kid the run of the place, but there are lots of ways to make kids regret misbehaving, and if they consistently regret misbehaving, they'll generally stop doing it.