Study: Spanking could have its benefits
Posted January 6, 2010 7:42 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – The author of a new study says spanking may be a benefit to your child. But the controversial research has its limitations.
Children between the ages of two and six, who have been spanked tend to do better in school, do more volunteer work, have post-secondary aspirations and are more optimistic. That’s according to research from Michigan’s Calvin College.
Those spanked between the ages of 7 and 11 tend to be more prone to violence but also scored better on positive measures compared to their non-spanked counterparts.
But the older children get, the more the study discourages the practice – indicating teens who are still being spanked often have clear behavioural problems. The study’s author does not want to encourage corporal punishment but discourage those wanting to ban it.
Critics feel spanking is counterproductive, that fear is a poor teacher.
