Questioning Traditions: Challenging Physical Correction In Modern Parenting

In an age where traditional parenting practices are being reexamined, one topic that has sparked intense deliberation is using physical correction as a disciplinary tool.

Physical punishment has been considered a tried-and-true method of instilling discipline in children for generations. However, the tides are turning as modern parents, armed with new insights and perspectives, question this approach’s effectiveness and potential harms.

With a thought-provoking video amassing an impressive 243.6K views, the online community finds itself at a crossroads, compelled to reassess long-held beliefs and engage in a critical dialogue about the role of physical discipline in shaping young minds.

The Perils of Physical Correction

The original video emphasizes, “Sometimes, yes, physical correction is needed, especially with a boy.”

The video creator then debunks this with the significance of relying on evidence-based practices in parenting and discipline. She argues:

“Did you know that every single piece of data that we have indicates that physically correcting your child in any way has long-term detrimental, negative effects. You cannot teach a child that hitting is wrong or hitting is bad by hitting them.”

Physically correcting a child has long-term adverse effects, as supported by extensive research. The idea of teaching that hitting is wrong by hitting them is flawed. The same approach wouldn’t be acceptable with adults, resulting in retaliation or legal consequences.

Yet, hitting children is socially accepted. Numerous studies consistently reveal the adverse consequences of physical punishment, such as increased aggression, antisocial behavior, and mental health issues in children.

The American Academy of Pediatrics confirms these findings. It’s important to find effective, healthier alternatives to discipline children. Positive reinforcement, open communication, and clear boundaries have successfully shaped behavior.

Love and Violence: A Troubling Connection

“Saying that boys specifically need physical correction is super dangerous. You’re also teaching him that hitting somebody else, as long as it’s somebody who loves you is OK.”

Physical correction in children, particularly when carried out by caregivers who claim to love them, blurs the line between affection and aggression. This association can lead to a distorted understanding of healthy relationships.

It can make children vulnerable to becoming victims or perpetrators of domestic abuse in the future. Boys should not be singled out for physical correction as it perpetuates harmful stereotypes and teaches them that hitting someone they love is acceptable.

Eliminating the notion of physical correction helps children develop a healthier understanding of love, respect, and non-violence, fostering positive relationships throughout their lives.

Challenging Societal Acceptance

“Which, one, increases his chances of being a victim of domestic abuse, while two, also increases his chances of being the abuser in a domestic violent situation.”

Hitting a child has two significant outcomes: an increased risk of experiencing domestic abuse and a higher likelihood of becoming an abuser in domestic violent situations.

It challenges the normalization of hitting as a disciplinary tool and emphasizes that it is lazy parenting. Instead, the focus should be on fostering healthy parent-child relationships based on mutual respect and understanding.

This requires a shift away from physical punishment towards non-violent disciplinary methods. The ultimate goal is to shape a future generation that values empathy, respect, and peaceful conflict resolution.

Promoting Positive Parenting Approaches

“Hitting your children is lazy parenting, and just because you call it something else doesn’t mean it’s not hitting your kid.”

Shifting away from physical discipline in parenting is crucial, as calling it by a different name doesn’t change its nature.

Instead, focusing on positive reinforcement, effective communication, and modeling good behavior can promote values like empathy, respect, and non-violence.

Research consistently shows physical discipline can harm a child’s emotional well-being and self-esteem.

Opinions from The Viewers

Viewers shared their diverse experiences and perspectives in the comments section.

One commenter questioned the belief that a child’s gender warrants physical or harsher treatment, expressing their confusion by stating, “Why do people think that a child being male means they need physical or ‘worse’ treatment because of their gender, like???”

Another individual shared their experience of being spanked for everything, revealing that it made them more aggressive, stating, “Coming from someone who was spanked for everything, it really just made me more aggressive. When I get angry, my instinct is to hit something now.”

Another commenter, reflecting on their own history of abuse, shed light on the fear and abuse that can be concealed behind the expectation of perfect behavior, stating, “As an abused kid myself once, people who expect kids to be perfectly behaved don’t realize how much fear and abuse goes into that.”

Another person shared their traumatic experience with their father throwing things at them, resulting in a lasting fear, “My dad would throw things at me. He missed one day, and it made a giant hole in the wall. He’s better now, but I’ll always be scared of him.”

Lastly, a commenter expressed ongoing fear and apprehension towards their mother, revealing, “Made me terrified of my mom as a kid. Even now, I’m scared to come to her with anything in fear of getting yelled at.”

Hitting ≠ Effective Discipline

Disciplining a child typically refers to teaching them appropriate behavior and helping them understand the consequences of their actions. However, it is essential to note that physically hitting a child is generally not considered an adequate or appropriate method of discipline.

Research and expert opinion consistently show that non-violent and positive discipline techniques are more effective in promoting healthy child development.

Physical punishment, such as hitting, can have negative effects on a child’s emotional well-being and can potentially lead to long-term psychological harm. It can erode trust between the child and the caregiver, teach aggressive behavior as a means of problem-solving, and contribute to a cycle of violence.

Many alternative discipline strategies can be used to teach children appropriate behavior, such as setting clear boundaries, providing consistent consequences, using positive reinforcement, and engaging in open communication.

It’s essential to focus on understanding the underlying causes of a child’s behavior and addressing those through guidance and positive reinforcement rather than resorting to physical punishment.

Sources:

• Disciplining Your Child: kidshealth.org/en/parents/discipline.html
• Corporal punishment and health: who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/corporal-punishment-and-health
• Positive Discipline and child Guidance: extension.missouri.edu/publications/gh6119

@_cal_cifer This isn’t opinion, this is decades upon decades of research across many fields.
#stophittingchildren
#childpsychology
#dvawareness
#generationaltrauma
♬ original sound – Callie