Report on Physical Punishment in the US
The Report on Physical Punishment in the United States by Elizabeth Gershoff, Ph.D. is available for download (click here). The report illustrates several points
- There is little research evidence that physical punishment improves children's behavior in the long term.
- There is substantial research evidence that physical punishment makes it more, not less, likely that children will be defiant and aggressive in the future.
- There is clear research evidence that physical punishment puts children at risk for negative outcomes, including increased mental health problems.
- There is consistent evidence that children who are physically punished are at greater risk of serious injury and physical abuse.
Also available on the website are materials for parents that give suggestions for effective discipline practices.
(from Phoenix Children's Hospital)
Maltreatment Prevention in Community Health Centers
Other Organizations
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