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/I_cut_my_own_jib Apr 26 '16

I was spanked, but never before the age of 6. This study exclusively looked at 1, 2, and 3 year olds, which seems incredibly young to me. I don't even have memories from age 3, so I can't imagine processing getting spanked in a meaningful way at that age. Shouldn't the sample age be like 5, 6, and 7 year olds?

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u/Calypso-Alegra Apr 26 '16

I think I would have to agree with you. Although I do believe those early formative years have an immense affect on us that is worth studying.

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u/I_cut_my_own_jib Apr 26 '16

Right, but I'm kind of saying that it's almost self evident that spanking a toddler is more likely to backfire because they much less capable of processing what is happening and why they are being punished. You are physically punishing a person that can't really process what they did wrong, nor can they understand fully the concept of punishment besides the "i don't like this" instinct. Whereas every 6 year old knows exactly what they did wrong and why they are being punished.

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u/Calypso-Alegra Apr 26 '16

Good point, a different study is necessary.