Physical punishment does not help instill discipline, but is associated with increased anxiety and aggression in children. This is the conclusion reached by an international team of scientists led by Professor Liane Peña Alampay of Ateneo de Manila University. The study covered families from nine countries, and observations continued for seven years.
The scientists observed children from seven to fourteen years old. About 4,500 families from China, the United States, Sweden, the Philippines, and five other countries took part in the project. Notably, even in places where spanking is considered a common parenting practice, it brought no benefit.
The researchers also found that parental warmth and acceptance are associated with greater psychological well-being in children, while coldness, neglect, and hostility are associated with emotional and behavioral difficulties.
The conclusion seems clear: raising a person does not mean demanding unquestioning obedience. It is far more important to teach them to understand their actions, manage their emotions, and trust those close to them. And it seems this process should begin with adults.
