The Hidden Costs of Spanking: What Every Parent Should Know

For generations, spanking has been seen as a normal part of parenting. It is something many of us experienced growing up. But what if I told you that science is now painting a very different picture? More and more research shows that spanking isn’t just ineffective, it’s incredibly harmful.

What the Brain Tells Us

A 2021 study from Harvard University found that children who were spanked showed brain activity similar to those who had experienced more severe forms of abuse. When shown fearful faces, their brains lit up in areas responsible for detecting threats, suggesting they felt unsafe, even in neutral situations (Cuartas et al., 2021).

That means even "mild" spanking is altering how a child's brain processes the world, possibly increasing anxiety and emotional reactivity.

Spanking Doesn’t Work

In one of the most comprehensive reviews to date, Dr. Elizabeth Gershoff looked at over 90 studies and found that spanking might produce short term obedience; however, it comes at a cost. Children who are spanked are more likely to become aggressive, defiant, and struggle with mental health later in life (Gershoff, 2002).

Instead of learning self control, children learn fear.

Longterm Health Risks

The World Health Organization has weighed in too, warning that spanking can lead to lasting health issues. It raises the risk of anxiety, depression, school failure, and even chronic diseases like heart problems later in life (WHO, 2021).

Our Take

At Village Counseling Group, we believe in raising children through connection. We’re not here to shame parents; we seek to educate and provide resources for more effective and healthy methods. Discipline doesn't have to hurt to work. If you're looking for healthy parenting tools that actually build trust and self-regulation, we’re here to help.

References

• Cuartas, J., Weissman, D. G., Sheridan, M. A., & McLaughlin, K. A. (2021). Corporal punishment and elevated neural response to threat in children. Child Development, 92(2), 821–832.

• 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.

• World Health Organization. (2021). Corporal punishment and health. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/corporal-punishment-and-health