Time to Ban Spanking?

What’s the story?

• A massive study has found that banning spanking, slapping, and smacking reduces youth violence.
• The study from BMJ Open looked at 400,000 youths in 88 countries, including 30 countries that passed laws fully banning corporal punishment of children, both in schools and in homes. 
• Researchers found that countries which fully ban physical punishment experienced 69 percent lower rates of physical fighting among adolescent males and 42 percent less for females.
• The association held true, regardless of differences in wealth and violence rates between countries.

What's the U.S. position on spanking?

• The American Psychological Association adopted a resolution in 1975 against spanking in schools in favor of other forms of discipline.
• Worldwide, 54 countries have full bans on corporal punishment for minors. The U.S. is among the countries with a partial ban (schools only).

What are people saying?

"All we can say, at this point, is that countries that prohibit the use of corporal punishment are less violent for children to grow up in than countries that do not,” said Frank Elgar, lead study author and associate professor of the Institute for Health and Social Policy at McGill University in Montreal.

• UNICEF senior data specialist Claudia Cappa told NPR she believes the study provides additional support for the idea that "violence teaches violence."
• "A child exposed to violence at home is very likely to use violence against peers in school" and in later life as well, she says, as "they think that is the only way to address conflicts, that there are no alternative means.”

What do you think?

The U.S. currently has a partial-ban on spanking. Is it time to upgrade to a full-ban? Should we make exceptions for birthday spanks? Take action above, then share your thoughts below.

—Josh Herman

(Photo Credit: iStockphoto.com / Bronwyn8)