Forscher finden große Mängel in den historischen klinischen Studien, die zur Rechtfertigung von Prügelstrafen herangezogen wurden. Die Ergebnisse deuten darauf hin, dass alternative, nicht-physische Strategien die Zusammenarbeit von Kindern ebenso wirksam fördern, ohne die potenziellen Risiken, die mit Prügelstrafen einhergehen.
Researchers find major flaws in the historical clinical trials used to justify spanking
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>A recent study suggests that there is no experimental evidence proving physical punishment is an effective way to discipline children. The findings indicate that alternative, non-physical strategies are just as effective at encouraging child cooperation, without the potential risks associated with spanking. The [research](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2026.107945) was published in the journal Child Abuse & Neglect.
>Spanking remains a widely practiced form of discipline, considered normative and socially acceptable in many cultures. Despite disapproval from some health organizations, it is estimated that globally, two out of every three children aged two to four years have been spanked.
>Scientists conducted the new study in response to ongoing debates about the merits of physical punishment. Recently, some academics published a commentary arguing that strict experimental trials provide evidence that spanking is an effective way to enforce child compliance. These proponents claimed that laws banning physical discipline are misguided and that spanking should remain an available option for parents.
>“We explored this topic because a recent invited commentary in a psychiatry journal advocated use of spanking as a means of enforcing child compliance. The authors argued that the ‘most rigorous’ clinical trials (specifically, [randomized controlled trials]) validate the effectiveness of spanking,” said Leslie Atkinson of Toronto Metropolitan University, the corresponding author of the new research.
>“They argued further that studies showing a positive link between spanking and developmental difficulties (e.g., child behavioural and emotional problems) are not designed to assess causality (e.g., child behavioural difficulties could lead to more spanking, rather than vice versa). They conclude that spanking is an effective disciplinary strategy.”
like the one where a father cut off his sons hair cause he bullied a kid with cancer?
This has been a consistent finding in psychology for a very long time. Hopefully the skeptics will read this confirmation.
Hitting a loved one is stupid. It destroys trust and imprints that this is how you deal with corrections. You can’t always rationalize with a child, but if you explain the why to them on their level you’ll have a far easier time. Provided you haven’t damaged their trust in you with because i said so, being heavy handed or removing their autonomy.
When they are younger you need other non verbal workarounds, shifting attention, playing with them, certainly not hitting them.
E: I have raised a child to an adult and only made the mistake once… when i panicked and needed to make a point. They lost a shoe in the road and tried to pull out of my hand to run back and get it. Without thinking I cracked their ass to accentuate a point. Horrified by the car, the situation and what I’d done… we got clear of the road. I apologized and explained the dangers. I still feel terrible about it and that was years ago. You don’t have to hit em ladies and gentlemen, you really don’t.
Scientists find, yet again, that hitting children is bad.