Effects Of Positive Punishment On Children - 1562 Words

This paper will explore effects of positive punishment on children from research conducted through an online database. The articles however vary in certain aspects and perspective of punishment. Lansford, Wagner, Bates, Pettit, Dodge (2012) discuss the controversy as to whether or not infrequent spanking is related to the higher levels of externalizing behavior. Fletcher (2012) discusses whether or not the use of punishment is effective on children. Straus (1999) suggested about 15 years ago that it might be time to start outlawing spanking as a form of assault. Last, Berzenski Yates (2013) assess physical punishment, such as spanking, and how it effects children’s behavioral and self-adjustment. Keywords: positive punishment,†¦show more content†¦This paper will examine current parental and legal thoughts on corporal punishment such as spanking and it’s effects it has on children both short-term and long-term. First, it is important to define the term punishment. Baumrind, Larzelere, Cowan (2002) state that positive punishment involves the addition of an aversive stimulus that should be used in moderation. Therefore, an example of positive punishment would be considered spanking since it involves the use of an object or the hand to apply an aversive stimulus onto the buttocks of a child. The differentiation in regard to the law between spanking and abuse is the fact that spanking does no cause injury, while abuse does. Parents who want to discontinue or prevent an undesirable behavior may practice punishment as a disciplinary tactic. Fletcher (2012) states that parents and physicians who are against spanking claim that it teaches the children a bad lesson, which is that violence allows them to get what they want. Parents who regularly use punishment tactics such as parenting are not â€Å"bad parents†. Whether or not a parent decides to practice spanking their children is completely their decision. As of now, there are no legal issues in regard to parenting as there is with abuse. This is because abuse involves injury while spanking does not. However, research today is suggesting that there are negative