University of Texas at Austin. (2016, April25). Risks of harm from spanking confirmed by analysis of 5 decades ofresearch. [Press release] Harris Interactive. (2013, September 26). Fourin five Americans believe parents spanking their children is sometimes appropriate.[Press release] Having grown up in a home where spanking was an accepted form of punishment (and neither my brother nor I seem to be irreparably harmed from it), you’d think that today I would be in favor of spanking myself. This is certainly not the only study of its kind. Plenty of other research exists that highlights the negative effects of spanking. And yet, 81 percent of Americans believe spanking is an acceptable form of punishment. Why the disparity between the research and parental opinion?

It should never be used for infants, and rarely for older kids with better communication abilities. According to the study, the more children are spanked, the more likely they are to defy their parents and experience: http://www.endcorporalpunishment.org/assets/pdfs/reference-documents/International-health-organisations-statement-in-support-of-prohibition.pdf http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/four-in-five-americans-believe-parents-spanking-their-children-is-sometimes-appropriate-225314281.html You’ll be hard-pressed to find any large-scale research that shows spanking to be effective in changing behavior and having no negative effects. But there are some studies out there that suggest spanking administered by “loving, well-intentioned parents” in a “nonabusive, disciplinary” environment can be an effective form of punishment.

Statement by international health organizationsin support of prohibition and elimination of all corporal punishment of children.(n.d.) But personally, I’m not in favor of it. My daughter is now 3 years old, and it’s never been something I’ve been comfortable with. I have friends who spank, and I don’t for a second judge them for that fact. Smith, B. L. (2012, April). The case against spanking. American Psychological Association, 43(4),60

The most recent research out of the University of Texas compiled over five decades of study data. The experts came to a rather startling conclusion: Spanking causes similar emotional and developmental harm as abuse to children.

The key is that the spanking must be administered in a calm, loving environment. Remember, the focus is on helping a child to learn appropriate behavior, as opposed to simply satisfying a parent’s frustration in the heat of the moment. 2. All children are different

Every major health organization has come out against spanking. And several international organizations have even issued a call for criminalizing corporal punishment. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) strongly opposes striking a child for any reason. According to AAP, spanking is never recommended. The experts are all in agreement on this fact: Research shows that spanking does more harm than good. 2. Spanking teaches aggressionIt is meant to send a strong message, not to be used on a daily basis. And it should never be motivated by anger or meant to illicit feelings of shame or guilt. http://goodparent.org/corporal-punishment/research-on-corporal-punishment/evidence-favoring-the-use-of-disciplinary-spanking/#_ednref1

Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.One thing is clear: Experts in this field stand firm that spanking should only be used in a very specific set of circumstances. That is, for children in the preschool age range that have committed truly willful disobedience — not small acts of defiance.