Spanking Linked to Mental Illness, Says Study

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Although the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) strongly discourages spanking, at least half of parents admit to physically punishing their children. Some research suggests that as many as 70-90 percent of mothers have resorted to spanking at one time or another. A new study published in the journal Pediatrics may cause parents to think more carefully before laying a hand on their little ones. Related: Should Your Child be Spanked at School?

Researchers examined data from more than 34,000 adults and found that being spanked significantly increased the risk of developing mental health issues as adults. According to their results, corporal punishment is associated with mood disorders, including depression and anxiety, as well as personality disorders and alcohol and drug abuse. They estimate that as much as 7 percent of adult mental illness may be attributable to childhood physical punishment, including slapping, shoving, grabbing, and hitting. The study reports that spanking ups the risk of major depression by 41 percent, alcohol and drug abuse by 59 percent, and mania by 93 percent, among other findings.

"We're not talking about just a tap on the bum," study author Tracie Afifi, PhD, of the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, explained in a statement. "We were looking at people who used physical punishment as a regular means to discipline their children." However, the analysis excluded individuals who reported more severe maltreatment such as physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, physical neglect, emotional neglect, or exposure to intimate partner violence.

"It definitely points to the direction that physical punishment should not be used on children of any age," said Afifi. Researchers concluded, "It is important for pediatricians and other healthcare providers who work with children and parents to be aware of the link between physical punishment and mental disorders."

The physical punishment of children is legal in the United States, although it is banned in at least 24 other countries. It's worth noting that 19 states also allow corporal punishment in schools. Earlier studies have linked spanking toddlers to increased aggression in older children. Spare the rod, spare the child?

http://shine.yahoo.c...-175900352.html

[X Factor 1,110]

Mental spanking is more damaging IMHO.

[MyLittlePony 340]

No wonder i messed up today.

[Adriene H 89]

I was spanked as a child, sometimes with the belt. It explains why

I'm a basketcase today

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Spanking is fun.

[rocks 494]

It's really astonishing that this is allowed, especially in school. I saw a child get whipped repeatedly with a belt in broad daylight at a mall. The mother and grandmother just stood there and looked the other way while the child had the daylights beat out of him, he couldn't have been older than 10. The belt was covered in metal, it was really horrific.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

It's really astonishing that this is allowed, especially in school. I saw a child get whipped repeatedly with a belt in broad daylight at a mall. The mother and grandmother just stood there and looked the other way while the child had the daylights beat out of him, he couldn't have been older than 10. The belt was covered in metal, it was really horrific.

Some children it helps, and some it hinders.

Human beings might be capable of understanding one another, but just like any other animal, the only way to tame/teach some if to physically punish them.

[rocks 494]

Some children it helps, and some it hinders.

Human beings might be capable of understanding one another, but just like any other animal, the only way to tame/teach some if to physically punish them.

No child deserves to be whipped with a belt, especially not in public and especially not one covered in metal. No child. If I did that to you it would be assault and I would be arrested!

Edited July 4, 2012 by rocks

[Obama 2012 1,714]

No child deserves to be whipped with a belt, especially not in public and especially not one covered in metal. No child. If I did that to you it would be assault and I would be arrested!

Nah, if you did it to me you'd be flat on your back

If a parent wants to smack their child as punishment, it's honestly none of your damn business. Just as it's none of my business how you raise your kids.

[X Factor 1,110]

No child deserves to be whipped with a belt, especially not in public and especially not one covered in metal. No child. If I did that to you it would be assault and I would be arrested!

I concur - that was extreme.

[rocks 494]

Nah, if you did it to me you'd be flat on your back

If a parent wants to smack their child as punishment, it's honestly none of your damn business. Just as it's none of my business how you raise your kids.

How is it OK to do that to a defenseless child who is less than 10 years old? The father made it my business when he did it outside a store I was going into. I hope when his kid grows up he does it back to him.

[Dakine10 5,452]

Nah, if you did it to me you'd be flat on your back

If a parent wants to smack their child as punishment, it's honestly none of your damn business. Just as it's none of my business how you raise your kids.

All 50 states do permit corporal punishment at this time, with the general condition that such punishment must not be excessive in the judgement of a third party such as CPS or law enforcement.

Usually CPS or law enforcement gets involved when they are alerted by another neutral party, ie any observer, teacher, friend and so forth.

So you can fool yourself into thinking it's nobody business, but if you ever have kids and discipline them in a way that someone else condsiders excessive, you will find out you are wrong.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

http://shine.yahoo.c...-175900352.html

Not spanking linked to people killing each other at school

[Obama 2012 1,714]

(edited to remove quoted inappropriate comment removed from thread, and response)

All 50 states do permit corporal punishment at this time, with the general condition that such punishment must not be excessive in the judgement of a third party such as CPS or law enforcement.

Usually CPS or law enforcement gets involved when they are alerted by another neutral party, ie any observer, teacher, friend and so forth.

So you can fool yourself into thinking it's nobody business, but if you ever have kids and discipline them in a way that someone else condsiders excessive, you will find out you are wrong.

Nah. See CPS and law enforcement can only truly do anything if there are physical marks left. You can beat the ####### out of your kids all day long as long as there's no physical evidence of it.

Edited July 4, 2012 by Kathryn41
to remove quoted post also removed

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Post containing inappropriate images has been removed.