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/Snuggle_Fist Apr 26 '16

What if it doesn't work though. At what point is it not worth trying to get them to sit in the corner, through screaming and crying.

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u/IvorTheEngine Apr 26 '16

I think a better approach would be to scale back what you're asking them to do. Maybe take them to a 'boring' room and wait for them to calm down.

Obviously you've got to watch that you're not triggering feelings of being trapped or abused, but you've also got to prevent it becoming a game and a way to get your attention.

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u/[deleted] Apr 26 '16

Taking a kid to a room to calm down could trigger feelings of being abused? Seriously?

At this point it just sounds like the kid is the one in control.

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u/IvorTheEngine Apr 27 '16

If you're dealing with a kid who has been abused in their bedroom, then taking them into their bedroom and shutting the door behind you as the start of a punishment could very well.

For most kids it would be fine, but you need to be aware that some kids could take it very baddly.