Personal experience and modern research converge: corporal punishment (smacking, spanking) delivers short-term compliance but risks increased aggression, mental-health problems, and damaged parent-child trust. Major pediatric organizations advise against it. Parents should use age-appropriate, nonphysical discipline - clear rules, logical consequences, time-outs, and positive reinforcement - and seek professional support if discipline escalates.

Why I oppose smacking

I grew up being smacked. It hurt, it made me afraid, and it did not teach me to behave better - it taught me to fear my parent. That feeling, and decades of child-development research, shape my view: physical punishment is a poor tool for teaching children what's acceptable.

What the evidence shows

Long-term research and multiple meta-analyses find a consistent pattern. Physical punishment can bring immediate compliance, but it is not linked to better long-term behavior. Instead, studies associate spanking and other corporal punishment with higher levels of aggression, anxiety and depressive symptoms, increased risk of substance use, and more conflictual parent-child relationships.

Major pediatric organizations oppose corporal punishment. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends nonphysical discipline strategies and warns that physical punishment can escalate into abuse and harm trust between parent and child.

Legal and cultural context

More countries and jurisdictions have moved to restrict or ban corporal punishment in schools and homes, reflecting changing views about children's rights and harm reduction.

Why it backfires

There are several reasons corporal punishment tends to fail over time:
  • It teaches that force is an acceptable response to wrongdoing.
  • It damages the trusting relationship that supports voluntary cooperation.
  • Children may imitate aggressive responses or act out of resentment.
  • It removes opportunities to teach problem-solving and self-control.

Practical, nonviolent alternatives

Discipline should teach, not terrify. Practical alternatives include:
  • Clear expectations and age-appropriate rules.
  • Consequences tied to behavior (loss of privileges, delayed screen time, postponed treats or outings).
  • Time-outs used calmly and consistently for younger children.
  • Natural consequences when safe (e.g., if a toy is misused, it's put away).
  • Positive reinforcement for desired behaviors and brief, specific praise.
Restricting a fun privilege (like missing a party or a special treat) directly links the consequence to the behavior and teaches responsibility without physical harm.

Where to get help

If you worry you might hurt a child, or if discipline escalates, seek support. Pediatricians, family therapists, and parenting programs can offer strategies that reduce stress and improve behavior. If you suspect abuse, contact local child-protection services.

Bottom line

Smacking may feel like a quick fix, but evidence and child development principles show it often causes harm and fails to produce lasting cooperation. Safer, clearer, and more effective nonphysical strategies teach children responsibility while preserving trust.
  1. Confirm current number of countries/jurisdictions that have banned corporal punishment in all settings (homes and schools) as of 2025
  2. Verify latest major policy statements or position papers from the American Academy of Pediatrics and recent meta-analyses by Elizabeth Gershoff or others (dates and titles)

FAQs about Chrysler News

Is smacking ever effective?
Smacking can produce immediate compliance, but research shows it does not improve long-term behavior and is linked to negative emotional and behavioral outcomes.
How do I discipline without physical punishment?
Use clear rules, consistent consequences tied to the misbehavior (like lost privileges), time-outs for younger children, natural consequences when safe, and positive reinforcement for good behavior.
When does discipline cross into abuse?
Discipline crosses into abuse when it causes injury, uses implements with force, or is excessive, frequent, or degrading. If you fear your own reactions, seek help from a pediatrician or parenting program.
Are experts unanimous against corporal punishment?
Most major child-health organizations - including the American Academy of Pediatrics - advise against corporal punishment because evidence links it to harm and escalation risks.