Introduction
Child abuse is a common occurrence that is frequently covered by television and other media. Between 4 and 14% of children experience physical abuse at the hands of their parents (Quail & Ward, 2020). It is incorrect to view corporal punishment as a form of discipline for children; instead, alternative teaching strategies must be employed to protect a child’s mental health.
Definition
Physical punishment can be defined as a type of punishment aimed at inflicting bodily pain on a child (Pastorino & Doyle-Portillo, 2022). This is a cruel form of punishment because it traumatizes the child’s psyche and prevents the natural development of their character.
Contributors
Socioeconomic
Socio-economic factors contributing to physical punishment include parents’ income and the family’s standard of living. In low-income families, parents have less time to raise children and are emotionally and physically exhausted by hard work (Quail & Ward, 2020). This makes them more prone to aggression towards children.
Cultural
Cultural factors that contribute to the likelihood of physical punishment are the openness or closeness of the culture. In closed cultures, it is not customary to express or discuss emotions (Pastorino & Doyle-Portillo, 2022). They are characterized by the unconditional truth of adults and their higher status (Quail & Ward, 2020). Therefore, in such cultures, it is not conversation that prevails, but physical punishment of children.
Advice for Parents
Showing Empathy
Even if the child’s behavior seems unreasonable, the child’s underlying feelings and needs are real to them (Pastorino & Doyle-Portillo, 2022). Therefore, one should empathize with the child and try to understand the reasons for their behavior.
Discussing Feelings
The adult should reassure the youngster that they are understood, cared for, and that they will never be abandoned (Quail & Ward, 2020). By addressing the root of the issue rather than its symptoms, this strategy will foster the growth of emotional intelligence.
Meeting the Child’s Needs
When a parent disciplines their child for outward behavior, the unmet needs will eventually show out in different forms until they are met (Quail & Ward, 2020). As a result, it’s critical to understand what deficit the youngster is experiencing and how it contributed to the development of a conflict situation.
Conclusion
Thus, physical punishment applied to children does not solve the problem, but only masks its manifestation. Its use can lead to an aggravation of the issue and problems with expressing their emotions in the child in the future. Therefore, parents should use alternative parenting methods to eliminate the problem rather than its external manifestations.
References
Quail, K. R., & Ward, C. L. (2020). Nonviolent discipline options for caregivers and teachers: A systematic overview of the evidence. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 46(8), 1-9.
Pastorino, E.E., & Doyle-Portillo, S.M. (2022). What is psychology: Foundations, applications, and integration (5th ed.). Cengage.