Why hitting children is wrong?
By Gargi Ghosh * updated on 10/2/2022
Parents often believe that hitting their children is the only way to discipline them and influence their behaviour. Excessive anger, however, has only negative effects on a child’s personality. Not only does it send the message that violence is acceptable, but it also creates fear and insecurity in children, which results in avoidance behaviour as they grow up.
Children are like sponges who absorb what they see and experience. They learn by copying the adults around them. By using violence as a punishment, you teach your child that it’s okay to beat up people weaker than them. The fear is transferred from the parents to the child. It teaches violence, not solution finding skills.
A parent’s right and duty to discipline a child or hit them in the act often leads to abuse and violence. Most parents are unaware that everyday acts like slapping, hitting and spanking their children could expose them to a strong risk of serious mental health issues, especially in the long run. Based on the effects that verbal abuse has on children we can assume that corporal punishment would also have similar effects. There is also a fine line between discipline and violence and most parents are unaware of when they cross it.
Parents who don't know how to reason with their children and resort to physical abuse, without thinking about the consequences, have a lot to answer for. It has been proven time and time again that such actions are harmful to your child's emotional development, physical growth and mental health. They can become aggressive, violent and rebellious in future, which can result in many problems in life. Some children will even turn to drugs or crime. It is imperative that parents learn how to deal with anger in a healthier way than resorting to physical punishment.
Children, like all of us, will naturally want to do things that please their parents. However, when parents become dictators, the stage is set for future conflicts – in the playground, at school and later on in life. Punitive parenting creates a whole range of problems from short-term negative emotions to long-term depression and anxiety. The most effective parenting style is one where you encourage your child to share their feelings and where you respond to your child’s behaviour with empathy and respect.
Research shows that corporal punishment is not a useful way to discipline children. It affects the child’s physical, mental and long-term development, and puts them at risk of being subjected to child abuse. If you hit or slap your child, it impacts the relationships they cultivate with their friends, family, teachers and other adults in school, and eventually hurts their career prospects.
The most significant impact of hitting children is how it stifles their creativity and imagination, making them fearful and dependent on others. It also hinders their decision-making ability later in life. Children who feel safe during childhood grow into happy adults. For the benefit of your children, we urge you to quit using corporal punishment, for children learn best when treated with respect and love.
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