Hitting a child is a complex and controversial topic. Many parenting experts and child advocates argue that any form of physical punishment, including spanking, is harmful and unethical. However, laws and social norms surrounding discipline vary greatly around the world. This article will explore different perspectives on what constitutes hitting a child, examine the potential impacts, and provide an overview of laws and regulations on corporal punishment.
Defining physical punishment of children
Physical punishment involves the use of physical force to cause discomfort or pain as a way to correct unwanted behavior. This can include:
- Spanking – Hitting a child on the buttocks or extremities with an open hand.
- Paddling – Hitting a child on the buttocks or extremities with an object such as a paddle, switch, or belt.
- Slapping – Striking a child’s face or other body part with an open hand.
- Pinching, shaking, or hitting with a closed fist.
Other types of physical force that are sometimes used as punishment include making a child do strenuous exercise or forcing a child to stand or kneel in an uncomfortable position for extended periods.
In its most extreme forms, physical punishment escalates into physical abuse. This includes acts like punching, kicking, whipping, burning, choking, and throwing a child. Child abuse may result in lasting physical and psychological harm.
Perspectives on physical punishment
Against physical punishment
Many modern parenting experts and children’s advocates argue that any form of intentional physical punishment is unethical and harmful:
- Physical punishment directly contradicts children’s fundamental rights to protection, dignity, and physical integrity.
- It models aggression and violates children’s right to positive guidance.
- It is ineffective at teaching long-term learning and compliance.
- It damages the parent-child bond and undermines trust.
- It contributes to mental health issues like aggression, antisocial behavior, anxiety, and depression.
Organizations opposed to physical punishment cite decades of research demonstrating risks and lack of benefits compared to positive parenting strategies. They advocate for legal bans on all corporal punishment.
In favor of physical punishment
Others believe that non-abusive physical punishment can be an appropriate form of discipline:
- Children need to experience negative consequences to correct misbehavior.
- Physical discomfort creates more immediate, memorable deterrents.
- Physical punishment demonstrates the seriousness of rules and helps reinforce compliance.
- When used judiciously, it causes no lasting physical or mental harm.
- Parents have the right to use corporal punishment as a childrearing method.
Proponents argue physical punishment should be allowed, but abuse clearly defined and prohibited. They view spanking as a last resort after other tactics like time-outs fail.
Laws and regulations on physical punishment
Laws and social norms surrounding the physical punishment of children vary greatly around the world:
Bans on corporal punishment
- 54 countries have banned corporal punishment in all settings, including homes.
- School corporal punishment is outlawed in 140 countries.
- The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child recommends prohibiting all physical punishment.
Some countries with total bans include Sweden, Germany, Spain, Poland, and Greece.
Legality of parental corporal punishment
In many countries, parents maintain the legal right to use some physical punishment:
- In the United States and United Kingdom, parental corporal punishment is legal as long as it is “reasonable.”
- In Canada and Australia, laws allow “reasonable force” but urge against spanking.
- Across much of Africa, Asia, and South America, corporal punishment remains culturally accepted and legally unrestricted.
U.S. state laws
In the United States, state laws determine the legality of corporal punishment. Currently:
- 19 states allow corporal punishment in public schools.
- 31 states and the District of Columbia prohibit corporal punishment in schools.
- New Mexico and Minnesota ban corporal punishment in all settings, including parental discipline.
See the following table for an overview of U.S. state laws:
| State | Legality of School Corporal Punishment | Legality of Parental Corporal Punishment |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Legal | Legal |
| Alaska | Illegal | Legal |
| Arizona | Illegal | Legal |
| Arkansas | Legal | Legal |
| California | Illegal | Legal |
| Colorado | Illegal | Legal |
| Connecticut | Illegal | Legal |
| Delaware | Illegal | Legal |
| Florida | Legal | Legal |
| Georgia | Legal | Legal |
| Hawaii | Illegal | Legal |
| Idaho | Legal | Legal |
| Illinois | Illegal | Legal |
| Indiana | Legal | Legal |
| Iowa | Illegal | Legal |
| Kansas | Legal | Legal |
| Kentucky | Illegal | Legal |
| Louisiana | Legal | Legal |
| Maine | Illegal | Legal |
| Maryland | Illegal | Legal |
| Massachusetts | Illegal | Legal |
| Michigan | Illegal | Legal |
| Minnesota | Illegal | Illegal |
| Mississippi | Legal | Legal |
| Missouri | Legal | Legal |
| Montana | Illegal | Legal |
| Nebraska | Legal | Legal |
| Nevada | Illegal | Legal |
| New Hampshire | Illegal | Legal |
| New Jersey | Illegal | Legal |
| New Mexico | Illegal | Illegal |
| New York | Illegal | Legal |
| North Carolina | Legal | Legal |
| North Dakota | Legal | Legal |
| Ohio | Illegal | Legal |
| Oklahoma | Legal | Legal |
| Oregon | Illegal | Legal |
| Pennsylvania | Illegal | Legal |
| Rhode Island | Illegal | Legal |
| South Carolina | Legal | Legal |
| South Dakota | Legal | Legal |
| Tennessee | Legal | Legal |
| Texas | Legal | Legal |
| Utah | Legal | Legal |
| Vermont | Illegal | Legal |
| Virginia | Legal | Legal |
| Washington | Illegal | Legal |
| West Virginia | Legal | Legal |
| Wisconsin | Illegal | Legal |
| Wyoming | Legal | Legal |
Physical punishment and child abuse
One major concern surrounding physical punishment of children is distinguishing between discipline and abuse. There is debate around where to draw the line:
- Many experts argue any physical punishment invariably escalates to abuse and should be banned.
- Some proponents contend spanking is acceptable if guidelines like using an open hand and avoiding the head are followed.
- Others argue the focus should be on long-term child outcomes rather than specific disciplinary methods.
Identifying and preventing child abuse remains a societal priority. Warning signs of potential physical abuse include:
- Injuries that cannot reasonably be explained.
- Frequent, repetitive injuries.
- Markings indicating the use of an object or pattern of hitting.
- Injuries to soft tissue areas where accidents are unlikely.
- Bruises, burns, broken bones, or other deformities.
Any concerns about excessive physical discipline or child maltreatment should be reported to social services or law enforcement.
Positive discipline strategies
Many advocates argue physical punishment is never necessary when positive discipline strategies are consistently applied:
- Set clear expectations – Proactively teach children rules and expectations using consistency and patience.
- Praise good behavior – Notice and call attention to children behaving well to reinforce those actions.
- Use natural consequences – Let children experience logical outcomes of their actions like cleaning up a mess.
- Withdraw privileges – Calmly take away something the child values like screen time if misbehavior persists.
- Provide meaningful choices – Give acceptable options that help children feel autonomous while limiting unacceptable actions.
- Model desired behavior – Children learn by observing behaviors, so act respectfully, thoughtfully, and gently.
Positive discipline aims to teach important social skills while maintaining a nurturing parent-child relationship built on trust and respect.
Conclusion
Views on what constitutes hitting or physical punishment of children range from any use of physical force to only severe physical abuse. Cultural norms vary greatly, though a trend toward discouraging or prohibiting corporal punishment exists in many nations. Distinguishing discipline from abuse remains challenging. Still, research increasingly highlights the risks of physical punishment while evidence supports positive discipline strategies. Though the debate continues, protecting children and promoting their healthy development remain universal goals.