Corporal Punishment: Does It Really Teach, or Just Hurt?

Introduction

Corporal punishment is a topic that sparks strong emotions in many parents. Some may remember receiving it as children, while others struggle with whether to use it themselves. As parents, we all want what is best for our children, but it’s important to ask: Does physical discipline truly help children learn, or does it do more harm than good?

For decades, corporal punishment has been a widely debated method of discipline, defined as “the use of physical force with the intention of causing a child to experience pain, but not injury, for the purpose of correcting or controlling a child’s behavior” (Straus, 2001). Historically, this practice was common not only in households but also in schools, where teachers were permitted to use physical discipline on students (U.S. Department of Education, 2022).

Do you still remember being punished corporally by your teachers or parents? How did it make you feel? Did it influence your behavior positively or negatively? These are important questions to consider as we examine the effects of corporal punishment on child development.

Prevalence and Social Learning Theory

In the United States, most parents still use corporal punishment to discipline their children (MacKenzie et al., 2011). However, the social learning theory suggests that when parents use aggressive forms of discipline, children model that aggression in their own behavior (Gámez-Guadix et al., 2011). In other words, children who receive physical punishment may internalize the belief that hitting is an acceptable way to control others, increasing their likelihood of aggressive behavior (Weiss et al., 1992).

What Kids Really Remember: The Trauma Effect

From my clinical experience, one striking pattern I have noticed is that children remember being punished, but they often cannot recall why. They remember the pain, the fear, and the sense of powerlessness—but not the lesson that was supposed to be taught.

This is very similar to trauma symptoms: when a child experiences distress, their brain may block out the details while holding onto the emotional impact. Instead of learning from the punishment, they may feel resentment, confusion, or fear, which can shape their long-term relationship with discipline and authority.

Corporal Punishment and Children’s Behavior

Studies show that corporal punishment is not just ineffective—it can have long-term negative consequences (Gershoff, 2002).

• Spanking and slapping are the most common forms of corporal punishment (Straus & Stewart, 1999).

• Spanking as early as age one has been linked to higher levels of aggression by age two or three (Berlin et al., 2009).

• Boys are spanked more frequently than girls (Straus & Stewart, 1999).

• Fathers' use of corporal punishment is more strongly linked to children's anger and attention problems than mothers' use (Deater-Deckard & Dodge, 1997).

  
  

One unexpected finding is that some harsh parenting styles appear to suppress externalizing behaviors in children—but at a cost. When mothers were consistently harsh, children sometimes showed reduced misbehavior, but they also exhibited lower self-esteem, increased anxiety, and weaker attachment to their parents (Straus & Mouradian, 1998).

The Role of Parenting Style: How We Discipline Matters

The effects of corporal punishment vary based on parenting style:

• Harsh parenting intensifies the negative effects of corporal punishment, increasing behavioral problems (Deater-Deckard & Dodge, 1997).

• Positive parenting—clear communication, emotional warmth, and consistency—can buffer children from negative effects (McKee et al., 2007).

• In homes where parents use high warmth and responsiveness, the impact of spanking is significantly reduced.

This means that discipline isn't just about what we do, but how we do it. When punishment is paired with harshness, it reinforces fear rather than learning. However, when discipline is paired with warmth, respect, and clear boundaries, children are more likely to develop self-control and responsibility.

Lessons from History: Why Schools Banned Corporal Punishment

Decades ago, corporal punishment was common in schools. Teachers had the legal right to physically discipline students, and many used it to maintain control. However, as research increasingly showed that physical punishment caused more harm than good, schools in many countries abolished the practice (U.S. Department of Education, 2022).

If we now recognize that corporal punishment is not appropriate in schools, why do we still justify it in homes?

Research shows that when children perceive physical punishment as hostility and rejection, they are more likely to show behavioral problems (Rohner et al., 1996). If we want children to grow into kind, responsible adults, we must consider alternatives to physical discipline that focus on guidance rather than punishment.

So What Should Parents Do Instead?

If spanking doesn’t work, what does? Positive discipline offers effective alternatives:

1. Set clear expectations – Instead of waiting for misbehavior, let children know in advance what is expected.

2. Use natural consequences – If a child refuses to wear a jacket, let them experience being cold rather than resorting to punishment.

3. Give choices – Offer limited options so children feel a sense of control while still following rules.

4. Teach emotional regulation – Help children express frustration through words, not aggression.

5. Model respectful communication – Children learn how to treat others by watching how we treat them.

   
   

Conclusion: It’s Time to Rethink Corporal Punishment

As parents, we want to raise kind, responsible, and emotionally healthy children. Research consistently shows that corporal punishment is not the best way to achieve this goal. Instead of teaching responsibility, it can lead to fear, aggression, and long-term emotional harm.

If you were physically punished as a child, what do you remember most? Was it the behavior you were supposed to correct—or the sting of the punishment?

Parenting is hard, and discipline is necessary. But discipline should be about teaching, not hurting. By choosing positive discipline methods, we can raise children who respect boundaries—not out of fear, but because they understand and value them.

About the Author

Ryan Yam, Psy.D.

Licensed Educational Psychologist (LEP4497) and founder of Dual Minds Psychology. Dr. Yam specializes in ADHD treatment, executive functioning skill development, and culturally sensitive care for children and adolescents.

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