10 reasons to avoid corporal punishment/ hit your child

By Aletha Solter, Ph.D.

1. Corporal punishment can lead to aggressive behavior.
Children who are spanked are more likely to hit and bite other children, become playground bullies, and have violent outbursts as adults.

2. Corporal punishment can lead to rebellion.
Children who are spanked are more likely to rebel against their parents and engage in risky behaviors.

3. Corporal punishment can cause children to numb physical sensations.
Children who are spanked can become desensitized to their body’s signals of pain, hunger, fullness, fatigue, and drug overdose.

4. Corporal punishment can cause sexual problems.
Children who are spanked on the buttocks may suffer later on from sexual dysfunction and sexual perversions.

5. Corporal punishment can lead to later emotional problems.
Children who are spanked are more likely to suffer from anxiety, depression, and substance abuse as adults.

6. Corporal punishment fails to teach children useful conflict resolution skills.
Children who lack role models for constructive communication are more likely to have difficulty with relationships as adults.

7. Corporal punishment can lead to lying and deception.
Children who learn to avoid punishment by lying will be more likely to continue this pattern of behavior as they grow older.

8. Corporal punishment can cause children to fear their parents.
Children who do not feel safe at home will be more likely to leave home at an early age and reject their parents’ values.

9. Corporal punishment is emotionally and physically painful.
Children who are exposed to frequent painful experiences are more likely to crave pleasurable experiences such as sex and drugs.

10. Corporal punishment doesn’t work.
Although it may produce temporary compliance, spanking does NOT help children learn, become cooperative, or develop moral values. It is the least effective method of discipline.

About the author:

Aware Parenting is based on the work of Dr. Aletha Solter. She is a developmental psychologist, international speaker, consultant, and founder of the Aware Parenting Institute. Her books have been translated into many languages, and she is recognized internationally as an expert on attachment, trauma, and non-punitive discipline.For more information, please see Dr. Aletha Solter’s books, The Aware Baby, Cooperative and Connected, Tears and Tantrums, Raising Drug-Free Kids, and Attachment Play.

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About the author:

Hi! My name is Chris Muller, MSc, BTA. I am a psychologist, counselor in Transactional Analysis, Aware Parenting instructor (level 2) regional coordinator the Netherlands and mother. For 10 years I provide support to parents through training, the Aware Parenting Education and 1-on-1 guidance. With a lot of love I help you to treat children AND yourself with love and respect. It is my passion that you experience more joy and more connection with your child AND with yourself! X