Decisions
The issue of spanking
Let’s take a closer look at the controversial issue of spanking.

Spanking is not one of the 49 Responsive Discipline tools. Spanking has consequences that are too high a risk for achieving conformity.

The word “spanking” can mean different things, causing confusion and misunderstanding. There is a huge difference between slapping a 2-year-old child's hand and hitting her in the face, between swatting a 3-year-old's behind once and hitting him repeatedly on the back, between using one’s hand and an object to do the hitting.



Although we know chronic or severe physical punishment can have dramatic negative consequences for children, physical punishment is not always child abuse.

Next: Effectiveness