March 02, 2004

By: Brad Campbell
Website: http://www.1st-in-kids.com

New National Poll Shows A Majority of Americans Believe Spanking with a Belt is Child Abuse

The Oklahoma State Legislature is sending the wrong message when it urges parents to spank, switch or paddle their wayward children in the wake of the Columbine High School killings. In fact, a majority of Americans believe some of what the Oklahoma Legislature is condoning is child abuse, according to a new national poll released today by Children's Institute International.

There is a wealth of research data showing that violent parenting produces violent children; so does negligent parenting, says Dr. Steve Ambrose, clinical psychologist and director of research at CII. We are not saying parents shouldn't discipline their children, but there are more appropriate and effective ways than hitting them. Violence teaches violence.

The Oklahoma House voted Tuesday 96-4 to support a bill that now goes to Governor Frank Keating to be signed or vetoed. The legislation will insert a line into the state child abuse statutes reminding parents that state law gives them the right to use ordinary force, including a spanking, paddling or whipping with a switch, to discipline children.

But according to the new national poll released today by CII, a majority of Americans would consider a portion of the Oklahoma Legislature's bill to be child abuse. While the majority of those surveyed believe children sometimes need to be spanked, they draw the line at leaving marks or using a belt. In situations were marks are left on a two-year-old, 60% believe this constitutes child abuse, and 74% say it is child abuse when a belt is introduced to discipline a two-year-old. While it is slightly more accepted, a majority also said it's child abuse if spanking leaves marks on a 12-year-old, 53%, or a 12-year-old is spanked with a belt, 54%.

The new study conducted by Penn, Schoen & Berland for CII found that 82% of the adults surveyed were spanked as children and that 55% of Americans believe a good, hard spanking is sometimes necessary.

It's concerning that spanking remains such a part of American culture, in view of scientific evidence demonstrating its ill effects. This suggests the need for continued public education, says Ambrose.

About The Author:

Brad Campbell is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.1st-in-kids.com.  Helping parents find kid-approved clothes, toys, games, books, activities and more.