Spanking as Child Abuse and Cause of Mental Illness?

There have been many years and many theories on the topic of spanking kids, from Dr. Spock in the 1950’s to today’s pediatric studies. The argument also includes the fact that many parents were spanked and did not have long lasting problems. The rationale isn’t so much the topic of spanking, but the level of spanking. New studies are showing severe or harsh spanking of children is considered physical abuse and can lead to mental health problems in the child.

Since the terms ‘severe or harsh’ can be relative, the research is leading parents to not include spanking as part of a punishment regiment. The American Academy of Pediatrics lists a discouragement of spanking or any form of physical punishment and spanking has officially been listed as against the law in over thirty countries.

Sources:
http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/02/health/shu-spanking-mental-illness/index.html
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/247333.php

The information supplied in this article is not to be considered as medical advice and is for educational purposes only.