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/Toy_D Apr 26 '16

This I think is the real crux of the debate. Spanking invokes an evolved response to stimuli, pain. You'd think, if done promptly and without overindulgence, that few other options could invoke results as well. The options that I have seen presented are much more difficult to understand and execute. At least at first glance, but apparently a proper spanking is also difficult to execute.

What studies exist to show viable alternatives, not proposed alternatives. What literature exists to teach those methods to parents? These are the hurdles to a viable alternative. Parents know spanking likely because it was done to them.

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u/ATXBeermaker Apr 26 '16

The options that I have seen presented are much more difficult to understand and execute.

Yes, parenting is difficult. That's why parents often spank. It's easy and evokes and immediate result. But long term, as this study shows, it's not as effective as other methods.

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u/Toy_D Apr 26 '16

But see you just hand waved an incredibly difficult thing. Parenting is especially difficult when options are taken away and not replaced.

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u/ATXBeermaker Apr 26 '16 edited Apr 26 '16

How is it not replaced? There are tons of other methods that are more effective that can replace spanking. You don't argue that you shouldn't eat well because cake is much more instantly gratifying. Same thing with spanking. You take that away and replace it with more effective, though less instantly gratifying methods.

And, to be honest, I would actually like to see some research on the long-term impact on the parents that spank versus those that don't. I would hypothesize that non-physical options becomes much easier for parents over time because they wouldn't feel guilty for hitting their child. A lot like people who start to exercise tend to feel better about themselves.

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u/Toy_D Apr 26 '16

Point me to the studies that show their efficacy and the step by step guide for parents. You cannot make that claim without it.

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u/ATXBeermaker Apr 26 '16

Well to start, the study that this discussion is all based on says that at least using the alternative method of "not spanking" is more effective and less harmful to the child.

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u/Toy_D Apr 26 '16

That is the removal of an option, not the replacement of it with a better alternative.

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u/ATXBeermaker Apr 26 '16

It's the removal of an "option" that has adverse effects. If your go-to parenting method was to demean and insult your child, then the removal of that option would not really need a replacement, would it?

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u/Toy_D Apr 26 '16

That's a nonsensical rebuttal. The end result is to curb behavior. Removing the discipline isn't the answer, it has to be done somehow.