"We know from the vast amount of research on spanking that it simply does not work. It is not only ineffective for correcting children's behavior, but it is also harmful."
"The most recent comprehensive report on spanking was published in 2025 by the World Health Organization. Combining evidence available globally, it found overwhelming scientific evidence that physical punishment carries multiple risks of harm and has no benefits for children, parents, or societies."
"The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child views physical discipline as a violation of children's human rights, and 65-70 countries have banned physical punishment of children in all settings, including the home and school."
A 2025 World Health Organization report and recent meta-analyses confirm that spanking carries multiple risks of harm with no benefits for children, parents, or societies. Approximately 40 percent of U.S. families and 1.2 billion children worldwide experience physical punishment at home. Research demonstrates spanking predicts increased aggressive and acting-out behavior in children, with effects persisting years later. While some parents justify spanking based on their own upbringing or cultural acceptance, scientific evidence overwhelmingly shows physical punishment is ineffective for behavior correction. Warm, supportive parenting can buffer some negative effects but does not fully reverse the harm. The United Nations views physical discipline as a human rights violation, with 65-70 countries banning physical punishment in all settings.
Read at Psychology Today
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