Parental Corporal Punishment

Paper Summary:

The paper examines how Gershoff conducted a meta-analytic study, which investigated the effect of parental corporal punishment (CP) on children. Gershoff found that parents who spank their children risk long-term harm that outweighs the short-term benefits of instant obedience. The paper discusses how professionals do not all agree on whether CP outweighs any potential hazards and lasting effects on children. This has inspired debates about what effects CP has and does not have on children, what is the definition of CP, and what child behaviors and experiences are associated with parental CP. This paper explores whether CP promotes positive and adaptive behaviors in children or if CP leads to other undesirable anti-social behavior in children.

Table of Contents:
Abstract
Introduction
Statement of the Problem
Source of the Problem
Significance of the Problem
Feasibility of the Problem for Study
Scope of the Literature Review
Theoretical Context of the Problem
Hypotheses/Research Questions
Variables of Interest
Methodology
Control of Extraneous Variables
Assessing Internal and External Validity
Sampling Design
Measurement Instruments
Sources of Measurement Error
Ethical Considerations
Data Analysis
Presentation of Results; Use of Tables
Interpretation of Results
Communicating Findings
Limitations of the Study
Alternative Explanations
Implications for the practitioner
Implications for further research

From the Paper:

"Currently, research on the effects of parental corporal punishment on youth remains a controversial issue. We do not adequately understand yet a lot about parental discipline. For example, if spanking conveys the message to the child that violence is permissible to resolve conflicts, the same could be said of other forms of discipline. Likewise, putting a child in time-out would convey the message that it is permissible to restrict the liberty of a person who displeases one, and fines could convey the idea that it is okay to take something away from another person when one was unhappy with them, etc. Research data argues that there is a difference between a responsible adult authority legitimately punishing wrongdoing and individuals indiscriminately beating up those who frustrate them. Research supports that many children are capable of understanding this difference in context."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Gershoff, E. T. (2002). Corporal punishment by parents and associated child behaviors and experiences: A meta-analytic and theoretical review. Psychological Bulletin, 128 (4), 539-579.

More papers on Parental Corporal Punishment:

• Persuasive Essay # 134010 : "Should Corporal Punishment of Children be Permitted?"
• Essay # 24101 : "Parental Use Of Corporal Punishment"
• Analytical Essay # 50786 : "Spanking: The Pros and Cons of Corporal Punishment"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: