Pediatricians Strengthen Their Stance Against Spanking Kids

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is enforcing an even stricter stance against spanking kids.

In a new policy statement, the pediatricians recommend parents use “healthy” forms of discipline instead of spanking, threatening or shaming. The APP suggests positive reinforcement of appropriate behaviors and setting limits and expectations.

The original policy statement was published in 1998 and recommended "parents be encouraged and assisted in developing methods other than spanking.”

“In the 20 years since that policy was first published, there’s been a great deal of additional research, and we’re now much stronger in saying that parents should never hit their child and never use verbal insults that would humiliate or shame the child,” says Dr. Robert Sege, first author of the policy statement.

In fact, a 2014 study revealed parents were spanking earlier than ever, with 30 percent of one-year-old babies who were spanked at least once in a one-month period. You may think the occasional spanking won’t do too much harm, but research tends to differ.

In the new report, the AAP sheds light on a lot of consequences associated with spanking. Hitting kids younger than 18 months increases the likelihood of physical injury. And repeated use of these tactics may lead to aggression between you and your kid, ultimately affecting the relationship in the long run. Not to mention, aggressive forms of discipline tend to create more defiant kids, who in turn will deliberately disobey you.

When kids do something wrong, show them the right way to behave. Instead of spanking, try issuing time-outs, taking away privileges or sending them to their room.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.