• Psychology -> Child and Developmental Psychology

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Should children be spanked as a form of discipline, and what are the psychological effects?

Cristi Kingsley

In my opinion, spanking should not be used as a form of discipline for children. There is plenty of research that has shown that spanking children has negative psychological effects on them and it may lead to negative behaviors such as aggression, anxiety, and depression later in life.

Spanking also increases the likelihood that the child will become a bully or have violent behavior towards others. It doesn't teach the child how to behave in a way that is acceptable and it doesn't encourage them to be accountable for their actions.

The fact is that there are a lot of other discipline techniques that are more effective in the long run, and less damaging to the child's emotional and psychological development. There are plenty of positive reinforcement methods that work really well and promote positive behavior changes in children.

Parents and caregivers can use rewards and positive reinforcement as a way to encourage good behavior in children. This could be as simple as praising them for doing something good, or it could be something more significant, like offering a reward for good behavior. There are also other ways to provide consequences for negative behavior. For example, taking away privileges or giving them a time-out can be effective tools for parents.

There are also many resources available to parents and caregivers that can help them to learn how to implement positive discipline methods that are effective for different stages of development. Some of these resources might include books, articles, or parenting classes.

In conclusion, spanking should not be used as a form of discipline for children. The psychological effects of spanking are negative and it doesn't teach children how to behave in a positive and constructive way. Instead, positive reinforcement and other effective discipline techniques should be used to promote positive behavior in children.