According to a recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics, American parents are disciplining their children without resorting to physical punishment more often than in previous years. The research, which utilized data from the Monitoring the Future study and focused on parents aged 35 with children aged 2 to 12, revealed a significant decrease in the percentage of parents who reported spanking their children. In 1993, around 50% of parents admitted to spanking, while in 2017, that number dropped to 35%. The decline was consistent among both genders, with men’s spanking dropping from 52% to 36% and women’s from 48% to 35%. The study also noted a decrease in spanking among toddlers aged 2 to 4, from 60% to 39%.
The study primarily involved white, married or engaged participants, with around 20% being Black, Hispanic, or Asian. Single parents constituted approximately 5.5% of the participants. Although the topic of spanking has been extensively discussed and researched in recent decades, it wasn’t until 2018 that the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) formally opposed corporal punishment. Previously, in a clinical report published in 1998, the AAP merely discouraged its use. Surprisingly, even in a 1992 survey involving family physicians and pediatricians, the majority expressed support for corporal punishment, despite existing research demonstrating its ineffectiveness and potential harm.
Curiously, while experts took a long time to openly reject spanking, its occurrence has been consistently declining over the past decades. The reasons behind this significant drop remain unclear. Some experts attribute it to a generational shift, with society increasingly rejecting any form of domestic violence. Popular culture also plays a role, as influential figures like the “Supernanny” TV show host vehemently discourage spanking and advocate for alternative disciplinary methods. Additionally, a steady stream of studies highlighting the adverse effects of spanking, including increased aggression, depression, suicidal behavior, substance abuse, and even brain changes, may have contributed to the declining trend.
Although the decline in spanking is seen as a positive development by many, the authors of the study caution that the numbers must continue to decrease. More than a third of American parents still resort to spanking, and 19 states in the U.S. still permit corporal punishment in schools. While it remains legal in the United States to spank children, it is worth noting that approximately 60 countries globally, including Argentina, Congo, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Mongolia, New Zealand, South Sudan, and Spain, have banned corporal punishment in homes.