January 1, 2010
Spanking Kids May Be Okay, New Research
Indicates
A consistent discipline policy might be more important than
the form of discipline.
Spanking Kids May Be Okay, New Research
Indicates
A consistent discipline policy might be more important than
the form of discipline.
SUMMARY: Cross-ethnic and international research of spanking suggests
children are not damaged by its occasional use, if that culture permits it. The
scholars' explanation is that in such cultures parents are less agitated when
administering spankings. There's been little study of the "never spanking"
option, because children who have never been spanked aren't easy to find.
Most children have been physically disciplined at least once in their lives, but
times are changing, and kids are being spanked less often now.
A new population study called Portraits of American Life involves interviews of
2,600 people and their adolescent children every three years. It turns out that
almost 25% of these teens report never having been spanked. Dr. Marjorie
Gunnoe, who studied the data, reports that this group of children didn't seem
any better off, in the long term.
Dr. Gunnoe looked for evidence of both the alleged possible negative
outcomes of spanking (antisocial behavior, early sexual activity, physical
violence, and depression) as well as the possible positive traits we might want
to see in our teens (academic rank, volunteer work, college aspirations, hope
for the future, etc.) Studies of corporal punishment usually ignore the possible
positive outcomes.
What she found was: children who were spanked when young (ages 2 to 6)
did a little better on almost every measure than those who'd never been
spanked. Even those who had been spanked during their elementary school
years (ages 7 to 11) turned out all right. While they did slightly worse than the
"never spanked" on the negative outcomes, they did a little better when it came
to the good outcomes. Only the teenagers who were still being spanked
showed problems.
A separate study by Dr. Sarah Schoppe-Sullivan found that children of
progressive dads were acting out more in school because the fathers were
inconsistent disciplinarians. These dads were not certain of when and how to
punish, and there was more conflict in their marriages over disciplining children.
The suggestion is that consistency of discipline may be more important than
the form it takes.
To read the entire article click on this link to NEWSWEEK
For the opposing viewpoint, click on this link to the August 10 LSI BLOG.
For a case where a school appears to be having success using corporal
punishment, click on this link to the April 29 LSI BLOG.
COMMENT: I can't help from noting, once again, how scientists are divided in
their research of subjects who are currently alive and breathing, and yet the
scientific establishment is so sure in many respects about the life they say
existed millions of years. ago. That is very interesting.
As for the use or non-use of spanking as a discipline tool, I won't repeat too
much of what I said about the topic in two previous posts (linked above) which
dealt with the subject. Spanking does have biblical support (Proverbs 23:13)
although parents are urged not to be overbearing (Ephesians 6:4). Suffice it
to say the overall atmosphere in the home is probably what is most important.
Even the strongest opponent of corporal punishment should agree that a “no
spanking” rule is no good if it is a part of a cold parent-child relationship
marked by indifference on the part of the parents. Nor could the strongest
supporter of spanking be in favor of corporal punishment if it was severe and
reflected a harsh, loveless atmosphere in the home. Of course, parents
should try to be consistent, which isn't always easy to do.
We can take some clues about discipline from God Himself? The Father not
only showed he is willing to discipline sinners after repeated warnings (e.g. the
Flood) but He also showed His love for the world by sending His only Son to
rescue us from the penalty of our sins and open the door to heaven for us.
Now the love of Jesus for us compels us to live more obedient, God-pleasing
lives (2 Corinthians 5:14). Our children might improve their own behavior by
learning this simple truth.
**************************************************************************************
Want to be automatically notified each time there is a new post? Just e-mail
your request to [admin@lutheranscience.org].
**************************************************************************************
QUESTION OF THE DAY
At what levels can high blood pressure start causing memory
problems?
**************************************************************************************
children are not damaged by its occasional use, if that culture permits it. The
scholars' explanation is that in such cultures parents are less agitated when
administering spankings. There's been little study of the "never spanking"
option, because children who have never been spanked aren't easy to find.
Most children have been physically disciplined at least once in their lives, but
times are changing, and kids are being spanked less often now.
A new population study called Portraits of American Life involves interviews of
2,600 people and their adolescent children every three years. It turns out that
almost 25% of these teens report never having been spanked. Dr. Marjorie
Gunnoe, who studied the data, reports that this group of children didn't seem
any better off, in the long term.
Dr. Gunnoe looked for evidence of both the alleged possible negative
outcomes of spanking (antisocial behavior, early sexual activity, physical
violence, and depression) as well as the possible positive traits we might want
to see in our teens (academic rank, volunteer work, college aspirations, hope
for the future, etc.) Studies of corporal punishment usually ignore the possible
positive outcomes.
What she found was: children who were spanked when young (ages 2 to 6)
did a little better on almost every measure than those who'd never been
spanked. Even those who had been spanked during their elementary school
years (ages 7 to 11) turned out all right. While they did slightly worse than the
"never spanked" on the negative outcomes, they did a little better when it came
to the good outcomes. Only the teenagers who were still being spanked
showed problems.
A separate study by Dr. Sarah Schoppe-Sullivan found that children of
progressive dads were acting out more in school because the fathers were
inconsistent disciplinarians. These dads were not certain of when and how to
punish, and there was more conflict in their marriages over disciplining children.
The suggestion is that consistency of discipline may be more important than
the form it takes.
To read the entire article click on this link to NEWSWEEK
For the opposing viewpoint, click on this link to the August 10 LSI BLOG.
For a case where a school appears to be having success using corporal
punishment, click on this link to the April 29 LSI BLOG.
COMMENT: I can't help from noting, once again, how scientists are divided in
their research of subjects who are currently alive and breathing, and yet the
scientific establishment is so sure in many respects about the life they say
existed millions of years. ago. That is very interesting.
As for the use or non-use of spanking as a discipline tool, I won't repeat too
much of what I said about the topic in two previous posts (linked above) which
dealt with the subject. Spanking does have biblical support (Proverbs 23:13)
although parents are urged not to be overbearing (Ephesians 6:4). Suffice it
to say the overall atmosphere in the home is probably what is most important.
Even the strongest opponent of corporal punishment should agree that a “no
spanking” rule is no good if it is a part of a cold parent-child relationship
marked by indifference on the part of the parents. Nor could the strongest
supporter of spanking be in favor of corporal punishment if it was severe and
reflected a harsh, loveless atmosphere in the home. Of course, parents
should try to be consistent, which isn't always easy to do.
We can take some clues about discipline from God Himself? The Father not
only showed he is willing to discipline sinners after repeated warnings (e.g. the
Flood) but He also showed His love for the world by sending His only Son to
rescue us from the penalty of our sins and open the door to heaven for us.
Now the love of Jesus for us compels us to live more obedient, God-pleasing
lives (2 Corinthians 5:14). Our children might improve their own behavior by
learning this simple truth.
**************************************************************************************
Want to be automatically notified each time there is a new post? Just e-mail
your request to [admin@lutheranscience.org].
**************************************************************************************
QUESTION OF THE DAY
At what levels can high blood pressure start causing memory
problems?
**************************************************************************************
0 Comments
| LSI stands for the Lutheran Science Institute, an organization of WELS and ELS Lutherans interested in science and health issues with a special emphasis on the creation and evolution controversy. This blog's purpose is to search the Internet to find articles of interest to Christians. Views expressed are those of the author (Warren Krug) and are not necessarily those of the Lutheran Science Institute, Inc. |
According to Georgios Tsivgoulis of the U. of
Alabama at Birmingham, people with diastolic
pressure readings (the bottom number) of 90 or
above are more likely to have problems with memory
and thinking skills than if they had normal diastolic
readings below 80.
Source: Bottom Line Personal (11/15/09)
Alabama at Birmingham, people with diastolic
pressure readings (the bottom number) of 90 or
above are more likely to have problems with memory
and thinking skills than if they had normal diastolic
readings below 80.
Source: Bottom Line Personal (11/15/09)
