Debate and Controversy Major controversy Discipline or Child Abuse?
Discipline
Some experts say that “limited, nonabusive, physical punishment” is ok to teach children lessons.
Irwin A. Hyman believes that mild punishment is not harmful in a “loving relationship.” She adds on by saying that what is important is how strong the bond is between child and parent
Between 1900-1950, most parents in the United States wanted complete obedience from their children. Some parents spanked their kids if they misbehaved and allowed schools to do so as well to continue with this obedience.
Graham Bermann, psychologists, says that physical punishment only works momentarily and it only increases aggressiveness in children in the long-run. Studies show that children in homes living in homes where physical punishment is used are more likely to use violence in altercations with peers.
Child Abuse
experts say that even the smallest amount of physical punishment can have long-term effects on child and should be avoided by the parent or adult because is creates psychological and social problems
Studies in the 1950’s how that corporal punishment in children later showed behavioral problems such as “increased violence, aggression, noncompliance, delinquency, antisocial behavioral, sexual hang ups, and depression” according to Murray A. Straus author of Beating the Devil Out of Them).
However, in the mid-century people people like Benjamin Spock and Thomas Gordon and T. Berry Brazelton touched on this issue and decided children should not be spanked and should be given equal rights. “Physical punishment doesn’t work to get kids to comply, so parents think they have to keep escalating it” says Elizabeth Gershoff, PhD, researcher on physical punishment at the University of Texas at Austin. She suggests that parents and caregivers avoid using physical punishment.
Graham Bermann, psychologist, says that physical punishment only works momentarily and it only increases aggressiveness in children in the long-run. Studies show that children in homes living in homes where physical punishment is used are more likely to use violence in altercations with peer