When I was expecting my first child, I stumbled upon a heated debate on a community parenting forum about spanking. I’ve never been a proponent of spanking, nor was I raised in a household where it was practiced. Yet, given its prevalence, I wanted to delve into the perspectives of those who consider it an acceptable form of discipline.
Through various discussions, I’ve recognized several distinct groups among spanking supporters. First, there are parents who infrequently spank, using it only in extreme situations, like when a child runs into traffic. This viewpoint is common in discussions.
Next, we have the religious spankers who reference scriptures to justify hitting a child for various misbehaviors. Interestingly, I observed a well-informed woman on that forum transition from advocating spanking based on biblical interpretations to rejecting it, demonstrating that interpretations of scripture can vary widely.
Lastly, there are those who equate spanking with discipline. They often argue that the rise in crime is linked to a decrease in spanking, claiming, “If parents disciplined their children with spanking, we wouldn’t have so many delinquent kids!” It’s this final group that I wish to address.
Examining the Facts
Let’s examine some facts and figures related to spanking and crime. Firstly, crime rates in the United States have not surged over the last few decades. In fact, crime peaked in the early 1990s and has been on a steady decline ever since. The homicide rates between 2010 and 2014 were comparable to those in the early 1950s.
With the exception of a brief uptick in 2015, both violent and property crimes have significantly decreased over the past 30 years. Contrary to what some politicians might suggest, we are not living in an exceptionally dangerous time; in fact, today’s youth are less likely to engage in criminal behavior than previous generations.
Shifting Attitudes Toward Spanking
Now, with the understanding that today’s children aren’t running rampant in crime, let’s consider the evolving attitudes toward spanking. Research shows that between 1986 and 2014, the percentage of people who view spanking favorably dropped from around 84% to 70%. This shift suggests that fewer parents are using spanking as a disciplinary tactic.
So, has this change in attitudes toward spanking led to an increase in crime? Clearly, the data indicates otherwise.
Regional Perspectives
You might wonder if different regions show varying crime rates in relation to spanking attitudes. According to the University of Chicago’s General Social Survey, individuals in the South are significantly more likely to support spanking than those in the Northeast. However, one might assume that higher crime rates would correlate with the Southern states.
Surprisingly, the South, with its pro-spanking attitude, actually experiences higher crime rates than the Northeast, where spanking is less commonly endorsed. Thus, the argument that “children are becoming criminals because parents no longer discipline through spanking” simply doesn’t hold up.
The Impact of Spanking on Behavior
While correlation isn’t the same as causation, recent research indicates that children subjected to spanking tend to exhibit more aggression and rule-breaking behavior. This leads us to conclude that spanking does not prevent crime—if anything, areas with higher acceptance of corporal punishment seem to coincide with increased crime rates.
I share this information not to dissuade anyone from their beliefs about spanking. One thing I gleaned from those forums is that spanking can be executed without inflicting lasting harm. Personally, I’ve seen numerous parents successfully raise respectful and responsible children without resorting to spanking. Every family has their own methods.
However, if you believe that a decrease in spanking is the root cause of society’s ills, it may be time to reevaluate that perspective. The statistics reveal that children today are faring quite well in terms of crime, even without spanking being a common disciplinary choice. For more insights on parenting, check out this post at Cervical Insemination.
Conclusion
In summary, while the decline in spanking has not led to increased crime rates, it’s essential to recognize that there are myriad ways to raise well-adjusted children.