Amateur Spankings (2024)

FAQs

At what age should a child not be spanked? ›

But as a general guideline, I would suggest that most corporal punishment be finished prior to the first grade (six years old). It should taper off from there and stop when the child is between the ages of ten and twelve.

Research over the last 20 years has demonstrated that spanking increases aggression in young children and is ineffective in changing their undesirable behavior, the AAP says. Studies have also linked spanking to an increased risk of mental health disorders and impaired brain development.

The survey suggests that a majority of children in the US were not being spanked in the past year. The rate of spanking was 49% in the past year for children ages 0–9, 23% for youth 10–17 and 37% overall. The only group for whom spanking seemed to occur to more than half were the children ages 2–7.

“Preschool and school age children — and even adults — [who have been] spanked are more likely to develop anxiety and depression disorders or have more difficulties engaging positively in schools and skills of regulation, which we know are necessary to be successful in educational settings,” he says.

Physical abuse is generally defined as “any non-accidental physical injury.” However, most states do allow parents to use spanking as a means of discipline and paddling students is still allowed in public schools in 19 states. Spanking is defined as using an open hand to strike a child's buttocks.

“Preschool and school age children — and even adults — [who have been] spanked are more likely to develop anxiety and depression disorders or have more difficulties engaging positively in schools and skills of regulation, which we know are necessary to be successful in educational settings,” he says.

Children remember being spanked, and as adults these memories are very strong and lead to feelings of significant anger and betrayal.

In that study, data were collected at birth, and at ages 1, 3, 5, and 9. The researchers found that children who were spanked more than twice a month at age 3 were more aggressive at age 5. Those who were spanked at age 5 showed more negative behaviors and lower vocabulary skills at age 9.

Is being spanked as a child traumatic? ›

Hitting children, even for “discipline,” is a form of trauma. Some adults cling to the excuse that a single swat on the bottom, or one slap on the head, can't be that bad, and is necessary to “teach them a lesson.”