In Australia, physical punishment remains a common practice among parents who believe that spanking or other forms of corporal punishment are effective ways to discipline children.
Corporal punishment includes practices such as:
- Smacking children
- Dragging and shaking children
- Pulling children’s hair
- Using force to push children
- Hitting children with objects such as straps, belts and other objects
While some parents will maintain they are engaging in these punishments out of concern for their child’s well-being, research consistently shows that physical punishment is not only ineffective but can have serious long-term psychological consequences on the child (Afifi et al. 2017; MacKenzie et al. 2013). Parents and caregivers need to be aware that physical punishment fails to promote the positive behaviour parents seek to instil, and instead creates a range of emotional, behavioural, and learning problems.
The Negative Impact of Physical Punishment
One of the key reasons physical punishment is so harmful is that it fails to foster positive social behaviours. Studies have shown that children who experience physical punishment are more likely to exhibit aggressive behaviour towards their peers. Gershoff & Grogan-Kaylor (2016) in an analysis of extensive studies on the topic, found that corporal punishment is associated with higher levels of aggression in children. The researchers’ findings revealed that children who are spanked at home are at least twice as aggressive as their peers who were not subjected to physical discipline. Further, children who experience corporal punishment are four times more likely to be aggressive towards siblings.
Rather than teaching children to behave in positive, socially acceptable ways, physical punishment encourages them to use violence as a means of problem-solving. When a child is physically punished, they may learn to associate violence with power or control, internalizing this as a legitimate way to interact with others. As a result, these children often grow up to have difficulty managing emotions and may be more prone to aggressive behaviour as adults.
Long-Term Effects: A Cycle of Violence
Smacking can undermine the parent-child relationship, leading to a lack of trust and communication between the two. Children may become more fearful and less willing to engage with their parents, which can reduce the effectiveness of positive discipline and guidance. Straus & Stewart (1999) also found that corporal punishment often leads to decreased warmth and closeness in parent-child relationships. The consequences of physical punishment extend beyond childhood. Children who experience physical discipline are more likely to face challenges in their own parenting later in life. Research suggests (Widom 1989; Straus 1990) that those who were spanked as children are three times more likely to use physical aggression towards their spouse. This pattern of behaviour perpetuates the cycle of violence, as children who are subjected to corporal punishment may, in turn, use similar methods to discipline their own children. This cycle underscores the damaging, long-term effects of physical punishment and highlights how it fails to provide sustainable behaviour change.
Why Physical Punishment Is Ineffective
While physical punishment may lead to short-term compliance, it fails to address the root causes of undesirable behaviour. For example, a child might stop a specific behaviour temporarily after being smacked, but they have not learned how to control their emotions or understand why their actions were inappropriate. Physical punishment does not teach children how to manage frustration, resolve conflicts peacefully, or make better decisions in the future. Instead, it often fosters fear, resentment, and anxiety, making it harder for children to form healthy, trusting relationships with their parents. Physical punishment does not help children develop key life skills, such as emotional regulation and problem-solving. Children need guidance on how to manage their emotions in appropriate ways—such as recognizing frustration and finding non-violent ways to cope. Smacking or hitting a child does not teach these skills; instead, it reinforces the idea that physical aggression is an acceptable way to deal with frustration or conflict.
Alternatives to Physical Punishment
Rather than resorting to physical punishment, parents and caregivers should use positive reinforcement and other non-violent discipline methods to encourage good behaviour. A child who is given attention and praise for positive actions is more likely to repeat those behaviours in the future. For example, parents can guide their children to understand the impact of their actions by explaining why yelling at or hitting their siblings is not appropriate. This helps children make the connection between their actions and their consequences, fostering empathy and understanding.
Parents can also help children develop emotional intelligence by teaching them how to recognise and manage their emotions. This involves parents and caregivers acknowledging a child’s feelings, and working with the child to self soothe and or build a framework for managing these difficult emotions. Instead of using physical punishment to stop unwanted behaviour, parents can model calm, rational responses to challenging situations, reinforcing the idea that emotional control is an essential life skill. Part of this modelling should also involve teaching children that if they inflict harm upon others, that it is their responsibility to make amends for this behaviour. This may involve: cleaning up any mess caused; giving the injured child a hug; or even drawing a picture for a sibling they may have harmed. The idea is to teach children to make amends for hurtful behaviour through the use of restorative and healthy strategies that promote harmony and goodwill.
Here at EPEC Education, we provide a range of carefully developed training tools that can assist both parents and caregivers in managing the challenging behaviours of children.
We promote the importance of empathy when communicating with children, and also of course, how to ensure children are learning to respect boundaries and manage the consequences of their actions. Please reach out to us should you like to learn more about how to build positive relationships with the children in your care.
