Caretakers of children in homes and institutions should avoid spanking and other corporal punishment in favor of non-physical means such as time outs and denial of privileges, according to the Louisville-based Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Church representatives voted 334-306 last week in favor of a resolution urging its members “to adopt discipline methods at home, in schools, pediatric facilities, and institutions (e.g. hospitals, orphanages, clinics, state institutions) and child-care facilities that do not include corporal punishment of children.”
The resolution also calls on states to ban the practice in schools and child-care facilities. An accompanying rationale for the measure says children who have undergone corporal punishment have increased tendencies to aggression, mental-health problems and other difficulties as children and toward domestic violence as adults.
It says in part:
“Corporal punishment models aggressive behavior as a solution to conflict. Numerous research studies have associated corporal punishment with increased aggression in children and adults, increased substance abuse, increased risk of crime and violence, low self-esteem, and chronic depression. It is difficult to imagine Jesus of Nazareth condoning any action that is intended to hurt children physically or psychologically. Time outs and deprivation of privileges are as effective as corporal punishment in stopping undesirable behavior. The effectiveness of corporal punishment decreases with subsequent use and therefore leads caretakers to hit children more severely. Children must eventually develop their own conscience and self-discipline, which are fostered by a home environment of love, respect, and trust.”
It also laments that “schools and child-care facilities are the only institutions in America in which striking another person for the purpose of causing physical pain is legal.”
As indicated by the fairly close vote, the measure generated debate, Presbyterian News Service reported.
“Most people know the difference between discipline and abuse,” said the Rev. James Emig of Denver Presbytery. “I would like us to trust parents that most of them can responsibly [use] corporal punishment.”