Assault Or Discipline

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Assault or Discipline

When describing a physical altercation between two adults, the term is assault and battery. Assault on an individual has more than immediate effects; the effects can last a lifetime in severe cases. In all fifty states, it is a crime to hit, strike or use corporal punishment in any deliberate manner towards any person over the age of eighteen. However, this law does not apply to physical force being used on minors. Spanking, whipping, and paddling are among a few common references to this form of punishment. Physically disciplining children has had many names over the years. No matter which term is used, corporal punishment has a negative impact on every party involved. It is a widely used, socially accepted method of discipline. “Approximately 94% of three and four-year old children have been spanked in the past year (Slade & Winssow 1321). Although spanking is a widespread practice, it is becoming more controversial. The negative effects of spanking greatly outweigh the benefits. Spanking is a socially tolerated view promoting abusive patterns, and has a negative psychological impact in teaching children that pain, fear, and confusion promote conformability.

Social tolerance of spanking has been the norm for thousands of years. The most widely accepted source coming from the bible. He who spares the rod hates the son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline (New International Version, Proverbs 13:24). Religion and culture have been a very common excuse for the spanking of children world-wide. “Hitting children is intertwined with religious beliefs, cultural views, and social policy… (Kazden & Benjet). However, the world has changed and evolved into a much more civilized society. In this country alo...

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...on that is involved in this vicious cycle.

Cited Works:

Childhelp Organization. “National Child Abuse Statistics.” Childhelp (2005):1-4.

Committee on Psychological Aspects of Child and Family Health. “Guidance for Effective

Discipline.” American Academy of Pediatrics 101.4 (1998): 723-728.

Kazdin, Alan E., and Corina Benjet. “Spanking Children: Evidence and Issues.” Current

Directions in Psychological Science 12.3 (2003): 99-103.

Slade, Eric P., and Lawrence S. Wissow. “Spanking in Early childhood and Later

Behavior Problems: A Prospective Study of Infants and Young Toddlers.”

Pediatrics 113.5 (2004): 1321-1330.

Stormshak, Elizabeth A., Karen L. Bierman, Robert J. McMahon, and Lilliana J. Lengua.

“Parenting Practices and Child Disruptive Behavior Problems in Early Elementary

School.” Journal of Clinical Child Psychology 29.1 (2000): 17-29.

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