Is Spanking an Effective Deterrent for Bad Behavior - Research Paper Example

? Spanking as a Deterrent for Bad Behavior Spanking as a Deterrent for Bad Behavior Introduction Studies against Spanking Studies supporting Corporal Punishment Conclusion Spanking as a Deterrent for Bad Behavior Introduction Corporal punishment, or spanking children as a form of behavior modification, has always been a hotly contested topic, both across the family dinner table and among educators the world over. Long a cultural spark that has created tensions for generations, the debate about the positive or negative aspects of spanking a child continue to drive many social initiatives. One of the defining features of any debate about corporal punishment is trying to define and pin down the circumstances that surround the spanking act. Lee (2011) contends that factors including the living environment, prior behavioral issues and peer pressure can influence the decision to spank. There are a host of different environmental factors that must be taken into consideration before any correct determination as to helpfulness of spanking can be assessed. There is no one blanket circumstance that can be applied as a standard. That remains the problem when trying to identify any one behavioral change due to spanking, for the better or the worse. Not only is the environment constantly a changing and evolving factor, but there remains the variable of the child themselves. With studies out on so many different facets regarding the children involved with spanking, Lee (2011) related that the statistics tend to show that the children receiving the most corporal discipline tend to be the children that had initial problems to begin with. With many arguments both supporting and detracting from the practice, it is a lively and often emotional debate. The evidence in this paper will show a balanced assessment of the issue followed by a fair a reasonable conclusion that spanking, when applied judicially, is not detrimental, but in fact can be a positive and useful tool in the correct circumstances. Studies against Spanking Strident in their opposition, many individuals and family oriented groups have taken a hard stand on spanking. Straus (2005) pointed out very clearly three defining reasons that spanking does not, nor ever will, work. 1. The act of spanking can produce consequential future side effects that any parent will not be able to gauge at the present moment. 2. The studies have shown that the act of spanking has no better effect on behavior than many other forms of punishment. 3. The violent act of spanking runs contrary to the values of a peaceful family and society as a whole. Values such as these reflect the growing concern that physical punishment early in life has the possibility of leading to physical acts of violence later on in life. As Straus (2005) has shown in his work, the link between acts such as spanking can easily produce an adult or teen that can act out in physically harmful ways, very much affecting those around them. Concerns such as these are only the beginning of the list of worries that some concerned advocates constantly extoll. Alongside the theory that spanking is violent, is that the act is very close to child abuse in certain instances. Taken too far, spanking can seem to be a very brutal and consequential experience for any child. The obvious long term effects of such a beating would be sure to resonant within the psyche of the child well throughout their adulthood. As shown by Marshall (2002) there are many alternative methods that are just as effective, and a lot less violent than the act of spanking. By using methods such as Time outs, treat depravation, rewards or even the practice of using animals to demonstrate the needed behavior, the alternatives appear to be just as successful in taming errant behavior as the act of spanking does. Behind the positive reinforcement stands the positive and beneficial source of the entire non spanking philosophy. Their reasoning states the any long term fix will only be achieved by actively demonstrating the non-violent approach to the child rearing Marshall (2002). By avoiding confrontational situations and potentially aggressive interaction the opportunities for positive growth are far more likely to present themselves. With decades of research and many much respected family experts standing behind the volumes of research, the case against actively spanking a child seems pretty solid. However, like any good issues, the act of spanking has a long list of well-respected advocates the can and have provided very positive proof that spanking can be beneficial, not to mention the generations of parents that have had to use the tool of spanking as a deterrent against willful or arrogant offspring. Studies supporting Corporal Punishment When it comes to the issue of whether to spank children there are many among the parents that take it for granted that a simple spanking can easily solve many problems. Common folklore holds that the implied threat of spanking can do more for discipline than a host of rewards under the right circumstances. As Donnely (2005) wrote it has been beyond the reach of most experts or laymen to determine exactly why or why not corporal punishment should or should not be employed. The area of child care is fraught with political implications, bounded on all sides by social and cultural values that constantly change. Research in such a situation is highly speculative in the best of circumstances, and therefore any conclusion reached by the many panels and experts on child care are constantly open to being questioned. Over the course of generations many varied studies have found a host of possible effects of spanking that can add to the quality of a child’s attention, and in many cases when administered properly, become a very effective portion of the curriculum. As Donnely (2005) found in his studies, without the possibility of punishment, many students had no boundaries. The absence of any system to restrain them caused them to believe that the teachers or administration had given their tacit approval to their endeavor. These studies have found that without the system of enforcement in place, bad behavior was not only encouraged but it became a question of how far could be boundaries be pushed. This is only one down side in the effort to control the behavior of children worldwide. Many parents and institutions attempt to control children using a system of reward and reward deprivation. This too has had mixed results. As Donnely (2005) went on to find, the entire system of possible rewards can easily be bypassed by the child. Once a decision to achieve an objective has been decided upon, the fact that a later reward may be missed becomes a matter of less consequence. This shows that it is sometimes issues of impulse control, rather than rational thought process that are responsible for a child’s misbehavior. As Loseke (2005) related in their study, spanking among responsible parents declines significantly all of its own accord as the child gets older. It is the younger children that have yet to understand the barriers and boundaries that have the need for more reinforced corporal punishment. By the time most children reach the age of eight, the act of spanking has decreased dramatically and in many cases has diminished to the point of being a minor tool in the parent’s repertoire. As Loseke (2005) went on to relate, for the child, the anticipation of the prospective punishment becomes the more effective deterrent, perhaps even more than that act of spanking itself. A child will quickly become conditioned to avoid this outcome and therefore reinforce more positive and socially acceptable standards of behavior. . It is common for many parents to view the act of spanking as a necessary but unpleasant task, without which many young children would lack the education on limitations that is so very socially necessary. As a common and socially accepted practice, spanking as a discipline has been used successfully in virtually every household across the globe. When applied in a conservative method, sparingly and only when warranted, these studies have shown that there is a common and grounded foundation to using corporal punishment as a process to instill values and reinforce positive behavior. Conclusion The conclusions that we see reflected in these studies are a fair sample of both sides of this very contentious issues. The stance against corporal punishment in any form is clearly documented, and has had decades of research with which to conduct studies. Perhaps the argument that violent reaction to problems will cause the same reaction in the children later in life is the most compelling and deeply troubling theory. A parent’s main concern should be for both the mental and physical well-being of their dependents. Considering the crucial possibility that physical harm, sometimes unfixable, is possible is a very strong deterrent against using any form of corporal punishment. Together with possible future emotional problems, the case against spanking is both significant and credible. On the other side of the aisle, the long multi-cultural history surrounding the use of spanking throughout the ages gives the impression that society, across the globe and as a whole condones the practice, when performed in a safe and controlled manner. A telling argument that truly reflects human nature is in the implication that the basic lack of any defining corporal punishment principal gives conditional assent to bad behavior to the children. This is a prime and very strong factor for the use of a strictly regulated and considered approach that includes spanking. Together with the research that shows that when spanking is conducted within an atmosphere of constraint and positive reinforcement, corporal punishment can become a very effective tool in the kits of parents and educators, the case for the inclusion of spanking is hard to deny. Having taken both sides of this very personal and delicate issue into consideration, the alternatives to spanking run contrary to what defines human nature. As individuals we are aggressive, as children that have no notion of cultural boundaries, there need to be clear and defined punishments available for the infraction of social rules. It is by building on this beginning premise with knowledge, not relying solely on corporal punishment, that we see a real step forward. It will be in the combination of both the reward approach and a moderate corporal punishment structure, that the best way possible forward will be found. References Donnelly, M., & Straus, M. A. (2005). Corporal punishment of children in theoretical perspective. (1st ed.). Cambridge University. Lee, M. (2011, January 25). FINDING DYNAMIC TREATMENT EFFECTS UNDER ANTICIPATION: SPANKING EFFECT ON BEHAVIOR. Retrieved February 15, 2012, from http://http://www.eea-esem.com/files/papers/EEA-ESEM/2011/362/JRSSAJun090070R2.pdf Loseke, D. R., Gelles, R. J., & Cavanaugh, M. M. (2005). Current controversies on family violence. (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks , CA, USA: Sage Publications. Marshall, M. (2002). Why Spanking Doesn't Work: Stopping This Bad Habit and Getting the Upper hand. (1st ed.). USA: Cedar Fort Inc. Bonneville Books. Straus, M. A. (2005). Children should never, ever, be spanked no matter what the circumstances. Retrieved February 15, 2012, from http://fermat.unh.edu/~mas2/CP67%20Children%20Should%20Never%20be%20Spanked.pdf Read More