Spanking Stephen J. Bavolek, Ph.D.

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Spanking Stephen J. Bavolek, Ph.D.
The Nurturing Parenting Programs Creating a
Caring World Through Nurturing
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Spanking

• Remember childhood spankings?
• Why were you spanked?
• What were your parents trying to teach you?
• What did you learn?
• If you spank as a parent, why?

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Gallup Poll on Spanking

• 1964
• 94 of parents approved of spanking
• 2004
• 68 of parents approved of spanking

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Straws (2001)

• Corporal Punishment is likely to have an opposite
  and undesired effect.
• rather than reducing inappropriate behavior,
  Corporal Punishment is likely to teach that
  physical aggression is a normative and
  appropriate way to solve conflicts.

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Recent Research Findings

• The effect of Corporal Punishment on anti-social
  behavior is linear.
• Corporal Punishment does not deter anti-social
  behavior but rather may increase it.
• Lower levels of Corporal Punishment may have as
  negative an impact as higher levels.

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Simons (1994)

• Corporal Punishment was negatively related to
  quality of parent involvement -- the less time
  spent with children, the more frequent use of
  Corporal Punishment.
• Corporal Punishment was negatively correlated
  with the cognitive stimulation that the parents
  provided to the child.

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Beal, M.D., Villarosa Abner (pages 124-125)

• Black women are more likely to spank children
  than White women. A Florida study of nearly
  20,000 parents confirmed the hypothesis.
• Authors advice Dont ever spank your child.

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Rosemond To Spank or Not to Spank (1994)

• Be quick about it.
• Do not spank as a last resort.
• Spank in anger.
• Use your hand.
• Apply hand to the childs rear end.
• Follow through with a clear, stern message and if
  need be, restrictive consequences.
• Spank only in private.
• Spank only occasionally.

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Sears, M.D. Sears, R.N. Spanking (1995)

• Examine your motive for spanking.
• Spank soon after the offense.
• Help the child accept the spanking.
• Explain why you are spanking.
• Encourage a confession.
• Choose a proper instrument (switch).
• Follow up after spanking with prayer.

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Sears, M.D. Sears, R.N. Discipline Book (1995)

• Ten Reasons Not to HIT
• Hitting models hitting.
• Hitting devalues the child.
• Hitting devalues the parent.
• Hitting may lead to abuse.
• Hitting does not improve behavior.
• Hitting is NOT Biblical.
• Hitting promotes anger in both parents
  children.
• Hitting brings back bad memories.
• Spanking has long-term effects.
• Spanking doesnt work.

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Sears, M.D. Sears, R.N. Christian Parenting
Child Care (1997)

• When Not to Spank
• Do not spank in anger.
• Do not spank toddlers and young children.
• Do not spank if you have a weak parent-child
  relationship.