US academy warns against effects of spanking

The American Academy of Pediatrics recently sent out a strongly worded statement against the practice of child spanking, warning about its devastating effects on children.

The group, which represents about 67 000 doctors, also recommended that pediatricians advise parents against the use of spanking.

They defined this as “noninjurious, open-handed hitting with the intention of modifying child behaviour,” and also warned against using nonphysical punishment that is humiliating, scary or threatening.

“One of the most important relationships we all have is the relationship between ourselves and our parents, and it makes sense to eliminate or limit fear and violence in that loving relationship,” said Dr Robert D Sege, a pediatrician at Tufts Medical Centre and the Floating Hospital for Children in Boston, and one of the authors of the statement.

A policy document of the academy suggests that positive discipline was far more effective in parenting and preventing later behavioural issues.

Parents and other adult caregivers should use effective discipline strategies for children that do not involve spanking, other forms of corporal punishment or verbal shaming.

The guidance is part of an updated policy statement in which the academy strengthens its opposition to corporal punishment.

The policy Effective Discipline to Raise Healthy Children, from the Council on Child Abuse and Neglect and the Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health, summarises new evidence published in the 20 years since the release of the 1998 clinical report on effective discipline, which discouraged the use of corporal punishment. – http://www.aappublications.org