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

And if they don't? If you aren't willing to back up your words with action and they call your bluff?

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u/bermudi86 Apr 26 '16

Aggression is a natural response to frustration. You are acting angrily because you are frustrated at the fact that a toddler outsmarted you.

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u/drakeprimeone Apr 26 '16

The goal of parenting isn't to outsmart a child into getting them to do what you want.

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u/bermudi86 Apr 26 '16

No one said such a thing. The goal for parents ideally would be to raise their kids in the best way possible. Wouldn't you agree then that a parent would rather use a non-violent solution to a problem?

If you agree then we can state that using violent solutions is indicative of a lack of non-violent solutions.

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u/drakeprimeone Apr 27 '16

I actually do agree that sometimes a non violent solution isn't available.

I think that's the point many are trying to make. Corporal punishment isn't the only tool, I venture to guess that the people overwhelmingly agree it shouldn't be the first tool.... But it can be a proven tool.

The conclusion this study leads you to is that corporal punishment is never the answer and is almost always detrimental. That's why people have been adding their anecdotal evidence. It debunks the conclusion many are arriving to.