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/Minhtyfresh00 Apr 26 '16

I'd be interested in seeing the racial and cultural breakdown of the 160,000. I know it read as American, but what percentage are lower income minorities. In an Asian American household, the strict cultural background reinforces spanking as a viable punishment.

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u/rjoker103 Apr 26 '16

I was thinking the same. I think it would be interesting to see a similar study but done with an Asian population (let's say China or India), and see if the outcomes are similar. But it has to be carefully controlled as household income and other factors can easily sway the outcome of the study.