Physical Punishment And Punishment

beating, and several other similar forceful acts that will result in injury (Gershoff, 2002). Spanking can also be considered abuse if injuries result from persistent, often, and too forceful of spanks, and if the victim is less than twelve months old, or older than twelve years old (Gershoff, 2002). Physical abuse will cause the victim injury (Gershoff, 2002).

To differentiate what physical discipline is can be categorized as physical force upon the victim without causing injury, whereas abuse results in injury (Gershoff, 2002). But are there really no injuries resulting in physical discipline? Some may argue that although no physical injuries are present, psychological injuries arise from the discipline nonetheless (Ateah et al., 2003).

Why Physical Punishment May be Practiced

Many factors may influence why physical punishment is practiced. Although there are numerous traits behind why physical discipline may be used, some of the most common forms are influenced by cultural practices, (as discussed above), childrearing practices, and substance abuse and in the family (Chaffin, Kelleher, & Hollenberg, 1996).

An influence of abuse also relates to the idea of an abusive familial cycle (Fagan, 2005). The familial cycle typically occurs when an individual experiences physical punishment as a child, and then as an adult will continue the chain of physical actions (Fagan, 2005). The pattern typically will repeat— therefore creating the cycle within the family system (Fagan, 2005).

The Impact on Child Victims

The use of physical discipline arises an abundant amount of negative outcomes for the children impacted by the physical punishment. Typically, the physically punished child will result in having several psychological troubles fro...

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...reate an abusive situational outcome. Abuse results in injury to the child (Gershoff, 2002). Although, the result of the psychological damage can be all the same in the end. It is unnecessary to physical discipline a child because of the abusive aspects of it. Many different variations of discipline have been found and that work effectively, therefore making the use of physical discipline unnecessary. The psychological results are similar to injury— they are just internal, mental injuries— the kind of injuries that can be associated with physical abuse.

The impacts that physical discipline has psychologically can critically impact the mental health of a developing individual. Physical discipline should not be tolerated. Although the types and definitions vary across the board, the end results have similar unnecessary, negative outcomes relating to the child victims.