Letters to the Editor

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 96 (4) ◽  
pp. 794-795
Author(s):  
Lawrence S. Wissow ◽  
Debra Roter
Keyword(s):  
Child Behavior ◽  
Corporal Punishment ◽  
Letters To The Editor

Drs Nelson, Trumbull, Ravenel, and Larson raise important issues in the debate over the use of corporal punishment. They ask if sufficient justification exists to propose that parents abstain from corporal punishment, and suggest that the debate requires careful use of terminology and agreement on the outcomes to be studied. We agree with the need for a careful, dispassionate reading of the literature. Dr Nelson suggests that experts in the field of child behavior do not support avoidance of corporal punishment.

Letters To The Editor

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1971 ◽  
Vol 48 (6) ◽  
pp. 998-998
Keyword(s):  
Corporal Punishment ◽  
School System ◽  
Letters To The Editor

Dr. Turner ended his letter with what seemed to me a commendable statement that he "did not wish to re-open the issue of whether corporal punishment has or should have any place in our school system." I don't mind its brief discussion in these (Letters) pages, but I doubt whether many converts will be made to either side. My own belief is that such punishment is never appropriate to an educational–or other-–situation.

ON THE SUBJECT OF ORDERLY OR LAWFUL BEHAVIOR

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1948 ◽  
Vol 1 (6) ◽  
pp. 725-732
Author(s):  
C. ANDERSON ALDRICH
Keyword(s):  
Young Child ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Child Behavior ◽  
Corporal Punishment ◽  
The Other ◽  
Recent Origin ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Set Up ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Infants And Young Children

The problem of orderly and lawful behavior in young children has been faced realistically. It has been pointed out that infants and young children are influenced by two sets of codes: one, those prescribed by civilized man, and the other by their own inherent growth impulses. The characteristics of the two codes were mentioned, pointing out that the former were of recent origin, extremely variable in different geographic, cultural and even medical situations, and were imposed from without; and that the latter were of extreme antiquity, were on the whole consistent in every social set-up, and exerted their force from within the individual. It was shown that when the two systems regulating child behavior conflict, it is necessary either to train the child to ignore his growth urges in an effort to conform to social dictates or to modify these requirements. The growth demands cannot be changed. The methods by which a child can be made to conform are by persuasion, including example and guidance, or by corporal punishment, neither of which is a perfect method. Illustrations of many aspects of behavior in the young child in which conflict commonly is found were cited to give some idea of in how many respects young children may be confused or frustrated with resulting unapproved behavior. It was emphasized that much of this might be prevented by relatively unimportant changes in the man-made codes. It should be emphasized again that the whole purpose of this discussion is to make conformity to our laws possible and to insist that no child today can grow up doing entirely as he pleases. The adjustments called for are often merely those of timing, of demanding conformity at a later, more reasonable developmental stage.

Sparing the Rod (and the Chair?)

2021 ◽  
pp. 165-183
Author(s):  
David Rettew
Keyword(s):  
Child Behavior ◽  
Corporal Punishment ◽  
Current Debate ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Disciplinary Practice ◽  
Vast Literature ◽  
American Families

Corporal punishment is illegal in many countries yet remains a core disciplinary practice in countless American families. The current debate often finds itself drawn along political lines, despite a fairly vast literature that finds little to support spanking. A lack of short-term effectiveness coupled with evidence that corporeal punishment leads to worse child behavior has led most child experts to discourage parents from using it. Indeed, some have even moved to condemn what were considered less harsh techniques like time-outs, although here the evidence is weaker. Lacking in many of these arguments is the consideration of several “it depends” factors that may be playing an important role in the degree that corporeal punishment results in resentment and feelings of rejection on the part of the child.

Intimate Partner Violence in the First 2 Years of Life: Implications for Toddlers’ Behavior Regulation

2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (7) ◽  
pp. 1192-1214 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Ann Easterbrooks ◽  
Rachel C. Katz ◽  
Chie Kotake ◽  
Nicholas P. Stelmach ◽  
Jana H. Chaudhuri
Keyword(s):  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Behavior Problems ◽  
Maternal Depression ◽  
Child Behavior ◽  
Corporal Punishment ◽  
Adolescent Mothers ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Physical Violence ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Psychological Aggression

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is prevalent in families with young children and challenges their healthy development. This study examined characteristics of IPV (e.g., mother- vs. partner-perpetrated, types and severity) and investigated potential effects of IPV on toddlers’ behavioral regulation in a sample of families at risk for IPV. We also examined whether maternal depression and child-rearing attitudes and behavior would moderate IPV–child behavior links. These questions were addressed in a sample ( N = 400) of first-time adolescent mothers and their toddlers (1-2 years of age). Families were visited in their homes; data were collected via maternal report and observations. Partner- and self-perpetrated IPV was assessed using the Conflict Tactics Scale questionnaire; child behavior regulation was measured using the Brief Infant–Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment questionnaire. Approximately 80% of families experienced psychological aggression; almost one third reported physical assault in the past year. Both physical and psychological IPV were associated with greater toddler behavior problems. Neither maternal depression, mothers’ attitudes about corporal punishment, nor nonhostile interaction moderated IPV–behavior problem links, though mothers’ reports of maltreating behavior did. Among children whose mothers did not use corporal punishment/physical violence, IPV did not differentially affect behavior problems. Children whose mothers used corporal punishment/physical violence with them showed behavior problems in the context of IPV (severe psychological aggression). Results underscore the importance of exposure to IPV during the first year of life, and the prevalence of IPV perpetrated by both mothers and their partners in families with adolescent mothers.

Letters to the Editor

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 96 (4) ◽  
pp. 793-794
Author(s):  
Fredric P. Nelson
Keyword(s):  
Child Development ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Corporal Punishment ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Authoritative Parenting ◽  
Letters To The Editor

The information in the October 1994 supplement to Pediatrics concerning corporal punishment is fatally flawed scientifically, linguistically, and logically. Wissow states that, "A convincing body of scientific evidence suggests that corporal punishment is more harmful than helpful to children."1 This is simply not true. Baumrind, in her 10-year study on socialization, found that, "Authoritative parenting [where spanking is used] is associated with optimal child development, both in social responsibility and in individual initiative."2 Straus wrote in 1992 that, "The assumption that spanking is harmless if done in moderation by loving parents has never been adequately tested."3 The converse must be true.

Letters to the Editor

1972 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 38-39
Author(s):  
Jean L. Anderson ◽  
Clara B. Weir ◽  
Marvin Schnur
Keyword(s):  
Letters To The Editor

Letters to the Editor

1974 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 180-181
Author(s):  
T. E. Borton ◽  
Mary K. White
Keyword(s):  
Letters To The Editor
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