To Spank or not to Spank

To Spank or not to Spank

2007

Abuse involves cruel or violent treatment of another human being especially any kind of sexual assault . The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act of 1996 defines child abuse as `any recent act of failure to act , on the part of a parent or caretaker , which results in death serious harm , sexual abuse , or exploitation , or an act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk or serious harm (Haley and Stein 2005 , pp . 54-55 ) This abuse can include any type of physical violence

such as : spanking , punching , kicking , or even burning a child . Sexual abuse of a child involves any type of sexual activity involving that of a child and an adult . Emotional abuse incorporates any act on a child that will impair his ability to lead an emotionally stable life Research pertaining to the detrimental effects of corporal punishment on a child 's emotional and physical well being has shown that whether corporal punishment is used every day , once a week or once a month there are lasting harmful effects to the children involved

Some of the physical and emotional effects of parents using corporal punishment on their child can be seen immediately . Along with physical damage such as redness , swelling and bruises , there is also significant emotional damage . Loss of trust and confusion are immediate and very detrimental to a young child . There are also many consequences that remain hidden for years , which may cause these children to suffer from fear , aggression , and depression . The research on long-term effects of corporal indicate that there are specific types of behaviours are found primarily in children raised in homes where corporal punishment , or punishment inflicted upon their bodies was used . Even later in life as these children grew into young adults the lasting effects of physical punishment could still be seen . The association of love with violence that is learned through corporal punishment causes antisocial and violent behaviour later in life (Straus , 1994 Greven , 1991 Flynn 1999 . Children and spouses of individuals who were spanked have a much higher risk of being battered (Straus , 1994 . According to a 1985 National Family Violence Survey published by Murray Straus , the risk of drug and alcohol abuse is also much higher in the population of children whose parents spanked them . The use of drugs and alcohol may create an escape for those individuals looking for a diversion from their traumatic memories of perceived rejection as children (Straus 1994 . A child who is spanked not only absorbs the blows , but the message the blows convey , You 're worthless , I reject you

Murray Straus , author of Beating the Devil Out of Them , writes , No one of us can show that anything bad happens if we do not hit children (Straus , 2000 ,

.1 . The messages that are conveyed to children through spanking are very confusing . The way spanking looks and feels must be confusing to a child when being administered by a parent who is supposed to...