Table of Contents
Part 1 Children Are People Too
Part 2 Definitions of Physical Punishment
Part 3 Hitting Children is Very Common
Part 4 Approval of Hitting Is Declining
Part 5 Hitting Is Used for Different Reasons
Part 6 Are Physically Punished Children Better Behaved?
Part 7 Do State Laws Define Allowable vs. Prohibited Physical Punishment?
Part 8 Human Rights Considerations
Part 9 Countries Who Have Outlawed Hitting Children
Part 10 Conclusions, Resources and What To Do Instead
Part 1 Children Are People Too
With this article, I am starting a new series on why it is so important to stop hitting children, whether at home, school or any other place.
This series is based on a fundamental and simple value: people are not for hitting and children are people too.
This basic value about what is not acceptable in human relations is at the core of these articles. A corollary to this value is that there are many nonviolent and effective ways to gain the cooperation and respect of children, and that these can and should be taught to everyone who raises and works with children. The last article in this series summarizes these alternatives to ever hitting children.
This series is also based on the deliberations of international organizations who advocate for the abolition of all forms of physical punishment with children, including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. These articles will also reflect and share the mountain of research evidence that points to both the social injustice and ultimate destructiveness of using physical punishment to discipline children.
In one of my latest books for parents, The NEW Confident Parenting, which I wrote with my colleague, Dr. Camilla S. Clarke, an entire chapter is devoted to the findings of hundreds of research studies that document how destructive and ineffective physical punishment ultimately is. This chapter appears at the end of the book after having demonstrated numerous effective and nonviolent ways of obtaining and maintaining the respect and cooperation of children.
The chapter on physical punishment makes the point that many people continue to believe in and make use of physical punishment because they believe it really works. That is because, in some instances and in the short run, it does work in stopping some children from engaging in behaviors that make us adults uncomfortable. But the vast majority of studies that follow children for years (longitudinal studies) find that the use of physical punishment, and especially physical punishment that happens frequently and harshly, results in numerous negative consequences, including lifelong mental, physical, sexual and interpersonal problems.
Very few people believe that hitting that produces bruises and broken bones is harmless — here the hurt is too obvious to overlook. But most people are simply unaware of the insidious, hidden damage that physical punishment, of any variety and degree, leaves in its wake.
Subsequent articles in this series will present the findings of these studies in greater detail, including studies that have been done after I and Dr. Clarke wrote The NEW Confident Parenting.
Cultural Issues
The issue of hitting children has unique histories in African American and Latino communities. Parents of these children are often the most likely to be reported for abusing their children.
So it is wise to consult the two parenting programs that CICC created specifically for these cultural groups: the Effective Black Parenting
and the Los Ninos Bien Educados programs.
Kindness
Finally in this first series of articles on never hitting our
children, it is important to consider that when we hit children we are simply being unkind. Here are some thoughts about kindness:
Kindness is the act or the state of being kind, being marked by good and charitable behavior, pleasant disposition, and concern for others. It is known as a virtue, and recognized as a value in many cultures and religions.
“When we feel love and kindness toward others, it not only makes others feel loved and cared for, but it helps us also to develop inner happiness and peace. The true essence of humankind is kindness.” Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama (B. 1935)
“Research has shown that acts of kindness do not only benefit receivers of the kind act, but also the giver, as a result of the release of neurotransmitters responsible for feelings of contentment and relaxation when such acts are committed.” (Poquerusse, Jessie. “The Neuroscience of Sharing.” https:/www.universe.com/neuroscience. Retrieved 16 August 2012.)
“Acts of kindness do not always have to be random.”
Steven Spielberg
“The best part of life is not just surviving, but thriving with passion and compassion, humor and style, generosity and kindness.”
Maya Angelou (1928 – 2015)
– Poet, Dancer, Producer, Playwright, Director, Author
Thanks for your personal marvelous posting! I actually enjoyed
reading it, you could be a great author.I will be sure to bookmark your blog
and definitely will come back later in life. I want to encourage you to ultimately continue
your great job, have a nice weekend!
Wow cuz this is great job! Congrats and keep it up.|
keep this going please much thanks keep this going please i belive your content is high quality
Thank you for the sensible critique. Me and my
neighbor were just preparing to do some research on this.
We got a grab a book from our local library but I think I learned more
from this post. I’m very glad to see such magnificent info being shared freely
out there.
Some genuinely excellent blog posts on this internet site, appreciate it for it’s contribution. I don’t even understand how I finished up right here, but I thought this was good. I do not recognize who you might be but definitely you are going to a famous blogger if you aren’t
already 😉 Cheers!
Good info and right to the point. I don’t know if this is in fact the best place to ask but do you guys have any thoughts on where to get some professional writers?
Thx 🙂
I really pleased to find this internet site on bing, just what I was looking
for 😀 also saved to fav.
I see something genuinely special in this internet site. Appreciate it for this post, I am a big big fan of this site would like to keep updated.
Very interesting points you have noted, regards for posting.
I went over this web site and I conceive you have a lot
of great info, saved to my bookmarks (:.
Great – I should certainly pronounce, impressed with your website.
I had no trouble navigating through all the tabs as well as related information ended up being truly simple to do to access.
I recently found what I hoped for before you know
it in the least. Reasonably unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those
who add forums or something, web site theme .
a tones way for your customer to communicate. Excellent task.
Deference to article author, some great selective information.
I do consider all of the ideas you have offered for your post.
They’re really convincing and will certainly work.
Nonetheless, the posts are too short for starters.
Could you please extend them a bit from subsequent time? Thank you for
the post.
You completed a number of fine points there. I did a search on the matter and found
mainly persons will go along with with your blog.
Keep up the superb piece of work, I read few articles
on this web site and I conceive that your website
is very interesting and has sets of superb info.
wow… nice content quality, highly attracted towards the images of your blog and the content too.
dussehra pictures
Keep functioning ,impressive job!
But wanna tell that this is very helpful, Thanks for taking
your time to write this.
Wow, awesome blog format! How lengthy have you ever been blogging for?
you make running a blog look easy. The entire look of your site is wonderful, as well as the content!
Very well written story. It will be helpful to anyone who usess it, as well as myself.
Keep up the good work – i will definitely read more posts.
This web site is my aspiration, rattling good design and Perfect articles.
Thanks for every one of your works on this website. Kim loves engaging in investigation and it’s obvious why. Almost all learn all about the powerful tactics. You deliver insightful tactics through this web blog, as well as attract response from other individuals on that topic, so my daughter is undoubtedly understanding a whole lot. Enjoy the remaining portion of the year. You’re the one performing a dazzling job.
I was able to find good info from your blog posts.
Chronicles of A Broken Spirit is much more well-written! Keep up the good work.
Regards, Ricardo Kosloski