A primary reason to refrain from corporal punishment is the negative and unclear message it sends to a child. Spanking, slapping, or hitting does not teach a child what is right or wrong, but rather imposes a message of violence (Tharps 260). If a parent who uses violence to discipline tries to teach the same child that violence is wrong, they are relating an unclear message about violence and will confuse the adolescent. Corporal punishment suggests that violence is an acceptable way to solve a problem, which sends a ne

A second reason why corporal punishment is considered negative is because it can worsen the child’s behavior. Research has proven that the more frequently a child is exposed to corporal punishment, the worse a child behaves. Physical discipline tends to worsen a child’s behavior because it causes them to become angry and hostile, and the ordeal becomes a power struggle (“Wrong Signal” 8). For example, a child can try to gain power and express their anger by fighting back physically with their parents, other children in school, or with their siblings. Children may also try to gain power by ignoring and defying their parents, such as breaking rules or deliberately repeating an action. Dr. Murray of family research noted, “How ironic it is that the behaviors for which parents spank their children are liable to get worse as a result of spanking” (Robinson). The more a parent uses corporal punishment, the more they cause their child to misbehave.

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Robinson, B. “Child Corporal Punishment.” Religious Tolerance. 2 Aug. 2002. 13 Nov. 2003

“Spanking Sends the Wrong Signal.” USA Today Magazine Aug. 1993. p8. Online. EBSCO. 13

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