Globally, there are laws against physical violence towards adults, which also includes physical punishment meted out by women. For instance, in many regions of the United States, it’s actually criminal to kick or hit a dog.
Yet, when it comes to children, spanking and other forms of physical discipline are still permissible in over 130 countries, including the US. This highlights a contradiction in societal views.
Recent studies suggest American parents tend to find it more acceptable to hit a child than a dog. It seems we’re in a time where attacking a pet is seen as morally wrong, but the same behavior towards children is accepted.
Despite decades of findings indicating that physical punishment is harmful and often ineffective, its prevalence remains in households across the US and beyond. The real question may not be about the harm caused, but rather why society allows such behavior.
My team and I have reviewed data from 195 studies spanning 92 countries and found no positive outcomes associated with physical punishment. On the contrary, research points to negative results, like increased aggression and a higher risk of emotional issues in later life. So, why do we allow this?
Imagine if a supervisor or teacher hit you for not meeting their expectations. You’d likely experience immediate stress responses—sweating, a racing heart—as well as feelings of anger or anxiety. These reactions are natural and designed to prepare us to deal with threats. If such treatment were common, it could lead to chronic anxiety, which is a fate that many children also endure.
Parents often resort to spanking with the best intentions, hoping to correct behavior. But the stress that comes from physical punishment during childhood can have significant effects on a developing brain.
In our neuroscientific studies, we observed children’s brain activity in response to various stimuli. Those who were hit as children showed increased brain activation when seeing threatening faces, especially in areas responsible for threat detection. Other research has indicated reduced brain matter in adults who faced corporal punishment as kids.
Many adults who were physically punished recall it as merely “discipline” and often view it positively. However, this perspective ignores the broader implications. Just like how millions continue to smoke despite health risks, millions of children suffer under the guise of discipline, which carries profound mental and emotional risks.
Some argue that family matters, like child discipline, shouldn’t be interfered with by the government. But if we apply that argument to domestic violence, we see that it’s broadly unacceptable for a man to hit his wife, even in private. So why should we tolerate violence against children who are even more vulnerable and dependent on adults for their safety?
Children deserve the same protections that adults, prisoners, and even pets are afforded. It’s essential that all countries ban physical punishment in all contexts, whether in homes or schools.
These laws shouldn’t be solely punitive but should be incorporated into family codes along with supportive educational campaigns. Programs that shift social norms are crucial, as is parental support for non-violent discipline methods.
We’ve moved past justifying the beating of adults and recoil from animal cruelty. It’s time we apply those same standards to children so that they, too, can grow up free from violence.
